Writing Prayers For Worship

Writing prayers for worship calls for the creativity of a poet, the sensitivity of a pastor, the insight of a theologian, and the foundation of a living relationship with God. Weaving together these concerns, this article gives advice to the worshiper who is given the task of writing prayers for public worship. It suggests an approach that will be accessible for beginners and challenging for experienced worship leaders. Prayer is the heartbeat of worship-our living, vital entrance into the presence of God. It is also often the part of the worship service in which most people's minds go to sleep. Is it possible to write prayers for worship that powerfully bring people into God's presence? Can written prayers help us to shake off the lethargy of our congregational prayers? Yes, it is possible-given some basic spiritual principles. A Levitical Tradition If you are writing prayers for worship, you are part of the tradition of Levites that goes back to the time of Moses. God set ap…