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Some of the wider questions we've heard about pre-written prayers, especially – but not exclusively – from ‘non-conformist’ backgrounds have been:
• Doesn’t using pre-written prayers show that your worship is just an empty ritual?
• Do pre-written prayers mean that your church is dying and the Holy Spirit is absent?
• The formality of pre-written prayers is surely the last thing you’d want to use with a bunch of vibrant, creative and lively teenagers, right? As it was, this particular youth group were an astute and reflective bunch, and they came to this conclusion: ‘We sing pre-written songs all the time – which nobody has a problem with – so why couldn’t we use pre-written prayers?’ Boom! This article could end right here, that’s how perceptive that comment was, but it would probably be helpful to give you some further ideas and pointers on the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ of pre-written prayers.
Why use pre-written prayers?
• It aids spiritual formation: you are able to verbalise your faith, repeat biblical truths and consequently commit them to memory.
• It is community building: as a group, you are able to state the same words of worship and truth, and experience that you’re ‘in it together’.
• It is helpful for outsiders: if you come into the service as a complete stranger to the Christian faith, you will be able to join in pre-planned elements, but may be left bewildered and alienated by an ‘open time of prayer’.
• It is helpful for young people or anyone new to leading services or leading: it can be terrifying to stand before a congregation and be expected to improvise prayers, calls to worship or confessions that are both orthodox and heartfelt. Planning ahead as to what to pray can be helpful both for the leader and the congregation.
• It is a way to draw introverts into creating worship: in any group you are likely to find a quiet genius, the one who is perhaps nervous about contributing in discussions or leading things up-front, but who gets A*s in every subject and runs a successful blog. They can contribute to worship by writing prayers in advance for the church to use.
• It can provide familiarity in a changing world: although most of us love variety and new things, using the same prayer to start or end a meeting could bring a security and ‘homeliness’ for your group.
How should I use pre-written prayers?
• Use accessible language that everyone will understand: this could be an issue if you’re planning to use ancient prayers from Christian traditions. You may need to change words here and there, jazz things up a little, or make a point of explaining words and concepts.
• Use spoken word: when leading a prayer draw from performance poetry and rap, and ask people who are good at acting or performance to lead. Also consider having a leader-response format. This should limit the amount of droning that might otherwise occur. Have a look at the ‘praise shout’ on the links section of the website (www.youthwork.co.uk ) for an example of how dynamic a pre-written prayer can be.
• Use the Bible: there are set prayers from the early Church in the Bible, which you can use (for example 1 Timothy 1:17 and 3:16, Philippians 2, Ephesians 5:14), or almost endless possibilities in the Psalms. Not only will you be speaking out biblical truth, but it will also be forming you spiritually as a group and as individuals. Look at different translations and paraphrases for inspiration, or give a set text and set your group the challenge to improvise around it. There is an example of using a Psalm in prayer on the links section of the website (www.youthwork.co.uk).
• Think through your worship time: ask if any of the elements could be best achieved using a pre-written prayer. For example, if you have planned to include confession, adoration, a call to worship or a sending out element, find a prayer that expresses what your community need to say at this time. There are examples of a dynamic ‘call-to-worship’ prayer and a ‘sending out’ prayer on the links section of the website (www.youthwork.co.uk ).
• Explore other traditions to find suitable material: the Church of England is an obvious starter. On its website it will often put topical prayers relating to news stories or global issues. For a Celtic feel, look into the Northumbria Community or get the resources published by the Iona group. There are many more modern prayers coming out of the alternative worship community - have a look, for example, at Jonny Baker’s blog. At engageworship.org/ideas you’ll also find an ever-growing bunch of prayers.
• Think about what can bring the prayer to life: will it work to read it with music underneath, or explore complete silence? Can it be interspersed with a song? Can it have a beat underneath – perhaps everyone clapping or playing a hand drum? Would it help to show related pictures on a screen during the prayer?
• Write your own: you will have hopefully already realised that this is a brilliant idea for any youth group. We really believe in the indigenous expression of worship of every local church, but while song-writing can seem intimidating, putting a few lines down for everyone to pray together is something everyone can have a crack at. The prayers can be written in rhyme, or not, be taken from the Bible, or not, be long or very short, have a strict structure or not – the possibilities are endless! Provide your group with inspiration like Bible passages, themes, topical stories or worship elements.
