stop praying
So I’m aware that this post is going to awaken the whackos…but hear me out.
We recently had a discussion in staff meeting about the benefits of praying together in groups prior to service starting each weekend… And came to the conclusion that it is wrong. Here’s why.
The people are standing in your building, walking in your doors, looking for someone to talk to. Why would we stand around and pray when the people need us to pay attention to them?
We should be prayed up before the weekend. Getting in groups throughout the week and praying for the people that are coming to church…terrified, dissatisfied and turned off by church. That isn’t the time to huddle together and pray for the people that are standing right next to you.
They want you to talk to them. Ease their minds. Make them feel comfortable.
Pray for them before they get there, but once the doors open on Sunday…get away from each other and talk to someone you don’t know. If you’re spending that much time with all your team members…odds are people are walking out of your church and never coming back.
Because no one said a word to them.
Praying for people on Sunday means you’re probably ignoring them.
Mitzy
well said!
Joe
Nice. So true.
Matt Huber
I disagree completely. I am appalled that you even said that.
Just kidding. I completely agree. Its funny how many of the common church practices, when questioned, simply don’t hold up. Keep questioning “the way its always been”.
Yeah man.
inWorship
This is wonderfully written and challenged me.
I have a couple of people in our ministry that have pressured me to pray before services. I’ve never been opposed to praying, but I didn’t see the need. To appease them, we pray. Now, we will not be praying.
thanks fr the accountability on this.
Cami
Good. Can you forward this to all leadership… everywhere?
Magada
Here’s a novel idea… pray before the people get there. Your worship team and media team are in the booth most of the time anyways and these people typically are not your greeters. I think that these teams NEED to pray on sunday morning to get past the way that they feel or things that went on leading up to the service. I think you need to re-think your concept.
annieb
I think people are gifted differently and if their gift is to be prayers let them do that; even thru a service. Some people are gifted to be front people and are socially capable of meeting and talking to the the people that walk thru the doors. It’s a balance of having the properly equipped people doing what God would have them do.
neilgreathouse
Gooooood morning, ryan.
You’ll notice the theme throughout this post is praying before people arrive.
Before.
That could be the hours before the doors open or throughout the week. I’ve even italicized the word before in the post so it will stand out more.
This is more of a concept, rather than an instruction manual with all the details. Obviously, some people aren’t going to be as good with people as others.
Check your bp and re-read this post.
Rick
neil=hero
Lauren
Totally agree…but what’s with the guy with his butt in the air?
amy
If we relegated our time with Jesus to just Sunday mornings, then we won’t get to know Him very well.
Brian
I think the key is before regulars & visitors enter. We pray as a group on Sunday Mornings in a circle holding hands (simple 5 minute prayer) & it is a half hour before our first service = 8am. I rarely see a visitor that early, unless it is someone brought by one of the people that is praying.
So yeah you better be prayed up & I think it is good to pray before service to help clear minds & focus on God (and maybe not focus on a tech thing that maynot be functioning properly)
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[...] Stop Praying The prophet Neil encourages churches to stop praying for people in huddles in and around churches on Sunday. [...]