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Guidelines for cultivating the gift of public prayer
Explanation of Terminology
A man called to give primary leadership in the public gathering of people of God will have some measure of a divinely imparted gift of utterance in prayer.
1 Tim. 2:8
1 Cor. 14:26b
1 Cor. 14:26b
Cultivating the measure of gift given
2 Tim. 1:6
1 Tim 4:14
Phil. 2:12-13
1 Tim 4:14
Phil. 2:12-13
General introduction to cultivating the gift of public prayer
a. The importance of cultivating the gift of public prayer
Rev. H. Humphrey, “Public Prayer” in The Pulpit Cyclopaedia and Christian Minister’s Companion, (New York: S. Appleton & Company, 1851), pp. 491-493.
Robert L. Dabney, Lectures on Sacred Rhetoric, (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1979), p. 347.
Robert L. Dabney, Lectures on Sacred Rhetoric, (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1979), p. 347.
b. The necessity for conscious effort in the cultivation of our abilities in public prayer
Robert L. Dabney, Lectures on Sacred Rhetoric, (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1979), pp. 346-347.
Samuel Miller, Thoughts on Public Prayer, (Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1849), pp. 16-19.
Samuel Miller, Thoughts on Public Prayer, (Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1849), p. 25.
Luke 11:1-4
Samuel Miller, Thoughts on Public Prayer, (Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1849), pp. 16-19.
Samuel Miller, Thoughts on Public Prayer, (Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1849), p. 25.
Luke 11:1-4
c. The intimate relationship which exists between the state of our hearts and our public prayers
Mt. 12:34
Charles H. Spurgeon, “Our Public Prayer” in Lectures to My Students, (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2008), p. 57.
Ebenezer Porter, Lectures on Homiletics and Preaching and on Pulpit Prayer Together with Sermons and Letters, (Andover: Flagg, Gould & Newman, 1834), p. 301, 303.
Robert L. Dabney, Lectures on Sacred Rhetoric, (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1979), p. 347.
Remember 1 Timothy 4:15-16.
Charles H. Spurgeon, “Our Public Prayer” in Lectures to My Students, (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2008), p. 57.
Ebenezer Porter, Lectures on Homiletics and Preaching and on Pulpit Prayer Together with Sermons and Letters, (Andover: Flagg, Gould & Newman, 1834), p. 301, 303.
Robert L. Dabney, Lectures on Sacred Rhetoric, (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1979), p. 347.
Remember 1 Timothy 4:15-16.
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General guidelines for cultivating the gift of public prayer.
a. Guidelines with respect to the fundamental intention of our public prayers
1) We must seek to be the mouthpiece of the entire congregation in the diversified needs and desires of its approach to God.
Charles H. Spurgeon, “Our Public Prayer” in Lectures to My Students, (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2008), p. 64.
Robert L. Dabney, Lectures on Sacred Rhetoric, (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1979), p. 353.
William Blaikie, For the Work of the Ministry, (Birmingham, AL: Solid Ground Christian Books, 2005), p. 174.
Robert L. Dabney, Lectures on Sacred Rhetoric, (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1979), p. 353.
William Blaikie, For the Work of the Ministry, (Birmingham, AL: Solid Ground Christian Books, 2005), p. 174.
2) We must avoid these major faults:
a) Preaching or exhorting in your prayers
William Blaikie, For the Work of the Ministry, (Birmingham, AL: Solid Ground Christian Books, 2005), pp. 173-174.
b) Consciously teaching in your prayers
Ebenezer Porter, Lectures on Homiletics and Preaching and on Pulpit Prayer Together with Sermons and Letters, (Andover: Flagg, Gould & Newman, 1834), p. 307.
Robert L. Dabney, Lectures on Sacred Rhetoric, (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1979), pp. 355-356.
Robert L. Dabney, Lectures on Sacred Rhetoric, (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1979), pp. 355-356.
c) Attempts to impress people in your prayers
Charles H. Spurgeon, “Our Public Prayer” in Lectures to My Students, (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2008), p. 58.
Samuel Miller, Thoughts on Public Prayer, (Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1849), pp. 36-37.
Samuel Miller, Thoughts on Public Prayer, (Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1849), pp. 36-37.