Morning Moments

Public worship is the act of coming together before God for the specific purpose of expressing attitudes of adoration and appreciation for Him. "God is Spirit and they who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and according to truth. The Father seeks such to worship Him."

The body does not come together to be entertained. It is so that Christ may be glorified and the Body of Christ edified. When we come together, not because it is "church time" but because we desire to corperately approaching our Father in whose image we are, and seek above all else to please Him.

Because corporate worship involves both men and women, Paul gives us clear direction regarding the behavior of both in public worship. He begins with the men -

"I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting."

The phrase "I will" indicates more than a casual desire or wish. It conveys the idea of a strong intention. If you say to a child, "I wish you would clearn your room", you may actually mean "if you don't get that mess straight you will suffer the consequences. You don't have to scream. It is just a matter of fact that will be followed up on.

The subject of this prayer is for "men".
The sphere of this prayer is "everywhere"
The spirit of this prayer is, holy hands, withour wrath and doubting".

Consider the "men" - This is not to say women can't or shouldn't pray is public gatherings. Regarding the general subject of public prayer Paul is addressing a specific group - men.

"Pray everywhere" - Terms must always be viewed in light of context and the everywhere could no possibly mean that men are to walk around with hands lifted praying everywhere. We ARE told that we should be in a continual spirit of prayer, but that is not what is being addressed in this verse. It is restricted to the context of public assembly of the body of Christ.

I was once in a busy restaurant with a preacher who thought he was to always "kneel" to pray, so he did just that in the restaurant. I never went out to eat with him again. It is pharisaical when we wish to be seen of man.

Again, the context of our text makes it perfectly clear that Paul does not have reference to personal, private prayer, but to praying in the congregation. Can you imagine dining in a restaurant with men lifting their hands during the prayer? What if your child is in a play at school and you are sitting in the audience with your hands lifted praying for your child to do well. That is ridiculous. The "everywhere" is in clear reference to assembling as believers in "every place" believers assemble to worship and not to "everywhere men might go.

THINK ABOUT IT!

Blessings!