Prayer, in public or in a private setting, lifts us to the throne of grace, to talk to our Creator and Sustainer. Nevertheless both prayers are different. The difference between one and the other is not just the number of people involved.
If you pray alone, without another human being listening, that is a private prayer. If you participate in a Prayer Meeting or in a Prayer Line (Teleconference), when you pray next to, or with one or more persons; but also when you pray alone in places where others can hear you, you’re praying a public prayer, even if you didn’t plan it that way.
Jesus referred to public prayer. “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words” – (Matthew 6:7).
Let’s analyze the following tips for public prayer:
- Pray in complete reverence. Nothing should stop us from acknowledging who we are before. Avoid distractions. Our feelings and thoughts should be submitted in humility to Christ, asking the Holy Spirit to teach us how to pray. “Little differences and prejudices should not be taken with us to these meetings.” (EGW-Testimony Treasures, vol. 1, p. 274.3).
Reverence also includes the courtesy of waiting your turn to speak and/or pray.
- Kneel to pray. Kneeling shows dependence, submission and acknowledgement of God’s greatness in comparison with our feeble existence. Whenever the circumstances allow it, we should kneel to pray.
- Public prayer is short. To those who do not pray at home and wait for the prayer meeting to pray about everything, the Lord, through the inspired writings calls them “conference and prayer meetings killers”. (EGW- Testimony Treasures, vol. 1, page 274.3). To keep your public prayer short, make sure you pray beforehand in private. Also, remember Jesus’ instructions giving in Matthew 6:7. There is no need to continually repeat God’s name. Do you continually repeat the name of the person you are speaking with? Don’t do it in prayer.
- Use simple words and speak clearly. We pray together to be strengthened and built up. Speak clearly so that everyone present can understand and participate with and in one accord with you.
- Avoid criticism as you would avoid leprosy. When you present a request, criticize no one. Let’s say John Doe is harsh. Present your request before the Lord without mentioning his failings or weaknesses. You might say: “…Give him a spirit of kindness and grace.” By praying in such a way you close the door to the spirit of criticism but allow the need to be covered in a considerate way, and without sinning. Each request should be presented in prayer with courtesy, always seeking God’s blessing for the person you are interceding for, for the listeners and for you as an intercessor. Ask for others with the same kindness and deference you would like others to intercede for you.
- Provide no arms the enemy. Much more than we can imagine, our enemy seeks to turn the prayer meetings into a breeding ground for gossip and rumors. We are masters of what we keep to ourselves and slaves of what we say. Exercise good judgment.
- The goal is unity. If you truly want the presence of God there, ask for discernment to avoid everything that might promote a spirit of division.
- Remember that “We are epistles, read by all.” Public denotes open to all and exposed before all. You and I know not the reach or influence of the atmosphere and impression caused by a comment, a request and/or the meeting in general, etc. Everything is recorded in heaven’s registry. But we live uncertain times. We know not who and how many receive the earthly report. Can someone who listened quietly say the we are a positive or a negative influence? What can they accuse us of? It is my prayer that they accuse us of promoting love, unity, and communion with God.
May our prayer meeting be led by the Holy Spirit.
© Rhodi Alers de Lopez, 2026 (translated from original article in Spanish, written in 2018)
