Suggestions for Leading Public Prayer
Author unknown

Whoever engages in the leading of a public prayer has a weighty responsibility on his shoulders. His prayer must be the prayer of all those whom he is endeavoring to lead into the presence of God if there is to be meaning and fellowship during this phase of the worship. Following are some suggestions for efficient, worshipful leading in public prayer.

• Make some preparation - The man who leads should know early enough to think about it. He might even jot down some things, and the names of some persons for whom he should like to lead God's people in prayer.

• Speak audibly and clearly - Obviously, those present cannot pray with their leader unless he prays loudly and clearly enough to be heard and understood. The use of the public address (PA) system for assisted hearing is a MUST.

• Address the prayer to God, the Father - Do not speak of Him, but to Him.

• Make it of reasonable length - Not too long is just as important as not too short.

• Avoid vain repetitions - Some phrases have been used with such regularity among us that they have become meaningless. Use freshness of thought and language.

• Refrain from personal references to your own life and situation - Do your private praying in your private prayer.

• Pray in Jesus' name, not in "Thy Name," when praying to God.

• Be sincere and natural.

"Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplication! In your faithfulness answer me, and in your righteousness" (Psalm 143:1).

Are Some Saved in Ignorance?
Wayne Jackson

It is not uncommon to hear some argue that those who never have the opportunity to hear the gospel will be saved in spite of their lack of obedience. This assertion, of course, stands in vivid contradiction to the inspired affirmation that the Lord will render vengeance "to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel" (2 Thessalonians 1 :8; cf. Luke 12:47).

If those who are lost can be saved in their unbelief, it would be better to leave them in that state, for once they are exposed to the truth, and then reject it, they surely will be condemned. Thus, all mission work should be suspended.

Furthermore, since it is also the case that everyone is held accountable for the degree of knowledge he possesses (Hebrews 10:29; James 3:1), we would do well to not educate the church. In this way we would not intensify the punishment of those who defect from the faith and finally are lost. This implies that the whole system of gospel instruction is meaningless. The notion that "ignorance is bliss" is absurd on the face of it.