Pre Service Prayer!
 

Some Churches don’t have pre service prayer and I don’t understand it. I understand that things happen and you can’t always get to church early but I have been to churches and you walk in and its nothing but a social deal before service. How can people contribute to a service if they haven’t found a place to pray. How can people not pray before service and just walk up and play an instrument, praise sing, ect. How can a church have a deep move of God if there not even in tune with him. We need deep pre service prayer that we can get our minds on God and be a help and not a hindrance........ Does your church have pre service prayer or is it one of those social gathering before service when you talk to everyone else except God?

Re: Pre Service Prayer!
 

I believe pre-service prayer is extremely important. I don't particularly like going to a prayer room since it is nothing but a bunch of guys trying to be louder then the person next to them, but praying IS essential to getting in the right-mind and loosen up from the days events.

Those are my thoughts.

Of course some will say that we should already be "praying without ceasing" to which I also agree but believe it is not quite the same thing as trying to clear your mind before worship.

Re: Pre Service Prayer!
 

Honestly I don’t like a “prayer room” because all what happens is you have people in the prayer room praying and everyone else goes in the sanctuary and socializes…There should be prayer in the sanctuary not talking amongst the people. If they want to socialize then they should stay outside.

Re: Pre Service Prayer!
 

A couple of thoughts:
--We should be praying at home and when we get to church we shouldn't need to get prayed up.
--A group of people around the altar and at the first row down on their knees praying loudly can be a very intimidating atmosphere for guests as they come in and find a seat.
--A prayer room gives some privacy where people can pray and know their backs are not being stared at by people gathering in the church while they are kneeling at the altar before service.
--Time before service allows a little time for chit chat and socializing.

Re: Pre Service Prayer!
 

A couple of thoughts:
--We should be praying at home and when we get to church we shouldn't need to get prayed up.
--A group of people around the altar and at the first row down on their knees praying loudly can be a very intimidating atmosphere for guests as they come in and find a seat.
--A prayer room gives some privacy where people can pray and know their backs are not being stared at by people gathering in the church before service.
--Time before service allows a little time for chit chat and socializing.

Re: Pre Service Prayer!
 

Except I have usually found the opposite to be true. It is the prayer room where people tend to be the loudest trying to out due the people around them. I've found simply praying on a pew near the front of the church is the very best place.

Re: Pre Service Prayer!
 

We do not need to get to church to " pray up " but we do need to get are minds on the Spirit. The average family does not have time to pray at home when they get home from work, eat and get ready for service. I think that guest coming in need to hear true prayer and not like every other church that they can go to in their town

Re: Pre Service Prayer!
 

I agree. However most churches don't have anyone praying in public.

I've noted that having any number of people praying in the sanctuary prior to the start of service does tend to mute the volume of those socializing.

Re: Pre Service Prayer!
 

I much prefer prayer rooms over praying in the sanctuary. I really dislike praying in the sanctuary, especially if they dim the lights. For visitors coming in, that's a very unwelcoming atmosphere.

And I simply can't pray in the sanctuary. It's too distracting. Too many people walking around, usually people talking. I've attended several churches with prayer rooms, and it has always been a better praying atmosphere for me. Intense prayer, a feeling of unity.

As for people praying to get attention, that seems to happen both places equally.

Re: Pre Service Prayer!
 

I don't mind people socializing in the sanctuary before service as long as they don't ignore a visitor, go over and be friendly.