The Glen Waverley Uniting Church PSALTER|
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| = SOME IDEAS AND TIPS = (Summary of discussion at Elders meeting 14 July 2010) |
== SOME IDEAS AND TIPS == |
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| These are brief petitions with responses. For example: | These are brief petitions with responses. For example: |
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| ''Loving God, we pray for the whole church that it may show clearly your radical and boundless love in word and deed.''<<BR>> ''Lord, in your mercy,''<<BR>> |
''Loving God, we pray for the whole church that it may show clearly your radical and boundless love in word and deed.<<BR>> Lord, in your mercy,''<<BR>> |
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| ''God of all nations, we pray for those who govern the nations of the world, that they may use their authority wisely, kindly and peacefully. ''<<BR>> ''Lord, in your mercy, ''<<BR>> |
''God of all nations, we pray for those who govern the nations of the world, that they may use their authority wisely, kindly and peacefully.<<BR>> Lord, in your mercy,''<<BR>> |
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| Litany style prayers can be found in ''Uniting in Worship''. | Litany style prayers can be found in '''''Uniting in Worship.''''' |
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| SILENCE (count slowly and silently to ten) <<BR>> ''Lord, hear us.''<<BR>> |
SILENCE (count slowly and silently to 15)<<BR>> ''Lord, hear us.<<BR>> |
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| SILENCE (count slowly and silently to ten)<<BR>> | SILENCE (count slowly and silently to 15) |
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| ''Loving God, we bring to you now the needs of the people known to us and whose names have been written in our Prayer Request Book...<<BR>> Mary Macnab <<BR>> Thomas Fields <<BR>> Janet Gould <<BR>> Ann Venn, etc<<BR>> |
''Loving God, we bring to you now the needs of the people known to us and whose names have been written in our Prayer Request Book... Mary Macnab<<BR>> Thomas Fields<<BR>> Janet Gould<<BR>> Ann Venn, etc |
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| Our congregation subscribes to these resources which offer ideas for preparing worship. They include Prayers for Others. The folder containing these resources is housed in the ChurchOffice. |
Our congregation subscribes to these resources which offer ideas for preparing worship. They include Prayers for Others. |
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(a) Bruce Prewer’s prayers on Textweek—http://www.textweek.com/ |
(a) Bruce Prewer’s prayers on Textweek—http://www.textweek.com/ |
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(b) Suggestions from the Church of Scotland on http:// www.churchofscotland.org.uk/worship/starters_for_sunday |
(b) Suggestions from the Church of Scotland on http:// www.churchofscotland.org.uk/worship * Click on the Weekly Worship. |
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| * Scroll down to the Prayers section and then locate the Prayers for Others (Intercessions). | * Click on Prayers * Scroll down the Prayers section to the Prayer of Intercession.. |
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| Some Elders have found useful prayers simply by Googling “Prayers for Others”. There is also a wiki page where some past prayers are saved, and may be reused as appropriate. See WorshipPrayersPeopleText. | It can be helpful to Google “Prayers for Others”. |
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| Local, State and National newspapers are a good source. Collect items or headlines and weave these into prayer. Another idea is to read out a headline and then turn it into a litany. For example: | Local, State and National newspapers are a good source. Collect items or headlines and weave these into prayer. Another idea is to read out a headline and then turn it into a litany. For example: |
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| (Headline) ''Thousands killed in landslide in Peru.''<<BR>> '' We pray for all who are suffering as a result of this landslide and pray for all those who are helping to rescue those in distress.''<<BR>> ''Lord, in your mercy,''<<BR>> |
(Headline) ''Thousands killed in landslide in Peru. We pray for all who are suffering as a result of this landslide and pray for all those who are helping to rescue those in distress.<<BR>> Lord, in your mercy,''<<BR>> |
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David Adam (British) - ''Radiance of His Glory: Prayers for the Church Years A B and C'', published by SPCK. <<BR>> Janet Nelson (Australian) - ''Let us Pray: Intercessions'', published by Harper Collins |
David Adam (British) - '''''Radiance of His Glory: Prayers for the Church Years A B and C''''', published by SPCK. Janet Nelson (Australian) - '''''Let us Pray: Intercessions''''', published by Harper Collins. |
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=== “The Sick” === |
'''“The Sick”''' |
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| === Welter (200 MAX) === Don’t make a welter of the exercise. Keep your prayers to a maximum of 200 words. Fewer than 200 words is even better. Short, pithy prayers are more effective than long, rambling ones. Besides, God must get tired of being battered with words! |
=== Welter (400 MAX) === Don’t make a welter of the exercise. Keep your prayers to a maximum of 400 words (4 minutes). Fewer than 400 words is even better. Short, pithy prayers are more effective than long, rambling ones. If prayers are too long, the congregation will tune out. Besides, God must get tired of being battered with words! |
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| Avoid excessive details (again, God needs a break!) For example, if you are praying for war-torn countries, do not feel obliged to list every country in trouble. Keep things simple and brief. |
Avoid excessive details (again, God needs a break!) For example, if you are praying for war-torn countries, do not feel obliged to list every country in trouble. Keep things simple and brief. |
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| When I say, ''Lord, In your mercy'', please respond '''Hear our prayer'''. | When I say, ''Lord, in your mercy,'' please respond '''Hear our prayer.''' |
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| Repeat that, just to make sure they have all heard. Don’t wait a long time before the first response—use it early. Feel free to invent your own responses, but keep them brief. Long responses are hard to remember. | Repeat that, just to make sure they have all heard. Don’t wait a long time before the first response—'''use it early.''' Feel free to invent your own responses, but keep them brief. Long responses are hard to remember. |
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---- CategoryElders |
RossMackinnon<<BR>> Glen Waverley Uniting Church<<BR>> 13 September 2023 |
Back to > RosterVestry >
PREPARING AND LEADING PRAYERS FOR OTHERS
SOME IDEAS AND TIPS
WHAT IS PRAYER?
Melbourne monk, Michael Casey, describes prayer as “movement towards God”. That is, when we pray, we move towards God. When we lead prayer, we help the congregation move towards God.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF PRAYERS FOR OTHERS?
The Prayers for Others are not prayers of Confession or Thanksgiving. They are prayers for people and situations in need and this should be their focus. We bring the needs of others to God to ask for help in alleviating these needs. While we should pray for our own members in need, we must remember to pray for people and concerns outside our congregation.
TYPES OF PRAYERS FOR OTHERS
Litany
These are brief petitions with responses. For example:
Loving God, we pray for the whole church that it may show clearly your radical and boundless love in word and deed.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God of all nations, we pray for those who govern the nations of the world, that they may use their authority wisely, kindly and peacefully.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Litany style prayers can be found in Uniting in Worship.
Bidding prayers
These are like a litany, but are directed to the congregation (not God) and include silence. For example:
Let us pray for the peace and stability of all peoples and for the leaders of all nations.
These are freestyle prayers which expand a theme. For example:
These are prayers where the congregation keep their eyes open to see projected images or displayed objects which are used to illustrate the points of the prayer. For example, if praying for the homeless, the projected image of a homeless person, or displaying an actual rug, would be an appropriate visual focus.
Ask the people to make suggestions as to who we should pray for. Repeat each idea clearly so that the whole congregation has heard it. When all the ideas have been given, simply sum them all up with a “wrap-up” prayer. For example: If you like, you can take the suggestions offered and weave them into a prayer, but this is not necessary as it is largely repeating what has already been said.
It has become our custom to finish our Prayers for Others by praying for the people whose names have been written in the Prayer Request Book in the Foyer. All that needs to be done at this point is to briefly introduce these names and then slowly and clearly say the names in turn and then pray for assistance in helping these people. For example:
SILENCE (count slowly and silently to 15)
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer. Let us pray for those who suffer from hunger, sickness or loneliness, that the presence of Christ may bring them health and wholeness.
SILENCE (count slowly and silently to 15) Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer. Pastoral style
Eyes open prayers
People’s ideas
Prayer requests
Mary Macnab
Thomas Fields
Janet Gould
Ann Venn, etc
We pray that each of these people may know your presence with them. Remind each of us to do what we can to help the people we have prayed for. If a reason has been given for including the name in the Prayer Request Book, that may be included after the name (or not, as you see fit.) Do not include any names for which permission has not been given — i.e., names without a tick in the permission column.
Our congregation subscribes to these resources which offer ideas for preparing worship. They include Prayers for Others.
Two useful ones are: (a) Bruce Prewer’s prayers on Textweek—http://www.textweek.com/ (b) Suggestions from the Church of Scotland on http:// www.churchofscotland.org.uk/worship It can be helpful to Google “Prayers for Others”.
Local, State and National newspapers are a good source. Collect items or headlines and weave these into prayer. Another idea is to read out a headline and then turn it into a litany. For example: (Headline)
Check the readings for the day and discern themes from them which can be a basis for prayer. For example, the story of the Good Samaritan could lead to a prayer for those who are physically abused and also for people who go out of their way to help people in need.
Good books of prayers appear from time to time. A couple of possibilities are: David Adam (British) - RESOURCES
Seasons of the Spirit
Websites
Newspapers
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer. Lectionary
Books
Adapt
If you find a prayer that doesn’t quite fit or material that has good ideas in it, feel free to adapt.
BASIC STRUCTURE OF PRAYERS FOR OTHERS
Traditionally, Prayers for Others include prayers for:
The Church
That is, the Church in all its forms and levels — e.g., a congregation, a neighbouring church or churches, our Presbytery, Synod and Assembly, the world-wide church, ecumenical bodies such as the National Council of Churches, the Christian Conference of Asia or the World Council of Churches, etc. You don’t have pray for all of these bodies at once!
The world
For example, events of the week around the world
National and Local issues
Australian, Victorian and local issues “The Sick” This includes not only those sick in body mind or spirit, but also people who are grieving or victims of trauma.
The Departed
It is not our tradition to pray for those who have died. However, we can give thanks for those who have preceded us in the faith. If it is the anniversary of the death (Feast Day) of a famous Christian, then it is appropriate to conclude the Prayer for Others with thanks for their life, example and witness.
DOs
Prepare
This should go without saying! Preparation should be done prayerfully.
Language
Use language with which you are comfortable. Use concrete images rather than conceptual language. Avoid “Church-speak” and difficult theological terms and concepts.
When
Know which day and which service you are preparing for. Know clearly whereabouts in the order of service you will be leading.
Where
Will you lead from the lectern or from down among the people in the body of the church?
Microphone
Speak INTO it. Listen for your own voice coming out the speakers. If you can’t hear your voice, the congregation can’t hear you either. Don’t expect the microphone magically somehow to project your voice on its own. Adjust the microphone if necessary.
Upwards and Outwards
Keep your head up and speak outwards. Remember, you are speaking directly to the person in the back seat. If you keep your head down, your voice will be lost.
Slowly, slowly, slowly
Speak slowly at all times, but especially when using a microphone and in a large space. Don’t gabble.
DON’Ts
Welter (400 MAX)
Don’t make a welter of the exercise. Keep your prayers to a maximum of 400 words (4 minutes). Fewer than 400 words is even better. Short, pithy prayers are more effective than long, rambling ones. If prayers are too long, the congregation will tune out. Besides, God must get tired of being battered with words!
Preach
Do not preach to the congregation. You are leading the Prayers for Others, not delivering another sermon.
Awesome Details
Avoid excessive details (again, God needs a break!) For example, if you are praying for war-torn countries, do not feel obliged to list every country in trouble. Keep things simple and brief.
Mix Patterns
Don’t mix styles of prayer in the one prayer. For example, if you are using the litany model, stick to that for the whole prayer.
Assume Responses
Even if you are using standard responses, do not assume that everyone in the congregation will know them. When using responses, begin your prayer by telling the congregation that the prayer will be responsive. Then tell them what the response will be. For example:
When I say, Lord, in your mercy, please respond Hear our prayer. Repeat that, just to make sure they have all heard. Don’t wait a long time before the first response—use it early. Feel free to invent your own responses, but keep them brief. Long responses are hard to remember. Likewise, if you will be using silence in your prayers, warn the congregation beforehand.
Be sensitive with details when praying for individuals in the congregation.
When praying for people in need, do not leave it all to God and do not give the impression that God won’t act unless we ask Him/Her. Tony Morwood’s comments in his book, God is Near page 64 are relevant in this regard:
All of the above are suggestions only and we hope they are helpful. However, don’t feel constrained by them. Be guided by the Holy spirit and feel free to use your own creativity! RossMackinnonPersonal details
FINALLY
Aunt Nellie
Framework
Glen Waverley Uniting Church
13 September 2023