Leading in Prayer: A Workbook for Worship by Hughes Oliphant Old

by Hughes Oliphant Old

This comprehensive guide to ordering, improving, and doing prayer in Christian corporate worship is for pastors, worship leaders, teachers and anyone interested in a deeper understanding of the use of public prayer. Old discusses the historical and theological background of prayer, instructs readers in the various kinds of prayer as they are used in worship, and examines the ordering of prayer in congregational worship. Includes sample prayers and sample church services.

Genres: Prayer, Ecclesiology, Spirituality, Leadership

Mass Market Paperback

First published August 31, 1995

About the author

Dr. Hughes Oliphant Old was the John H. Leith Professor of Reformed Theology and Worship at Erskine Theological Seminary and Dean of the Institute for Reformed Worship. He was a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary and studied at the University of Tübingen, the Protestant Theological Faculty of Paris, the Institute Catholique of Paris, and the University of Basel. He completed a D. théol. at the University of Neuchâtel and was appointed a member of the Center of Theological Inquiry in Princeton, New Jersey. His 18 years of pastoral ministry in two churches, combined with meticulous research, has informed his prolific publishing.

Reviews

[Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent guide to the different genres of public prayer, with ample theological reflection to support each one, along with a number of examples. He also has additional chapters on the use of psalmody and hymnody, both of which are magnificent. And far from being some lofty work of idealism, there's plenty of great advice on how to implement things with pastoral wisdom and care, ensuring that the congregation understands what's being done. Highly recommend.

[Jordan Shirkman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before reading this book, I rarely thought of the importance and impact public prayer can have in a church service. Old provides a variety of types of prayer, suggested prayers, and a compelling vision for the ordering of prayer in a service.

[Joost Nixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ministers nowadays give little time to preparing to lead the congregation in prayer. Most fellows wing it. . . week in and week out. Imagine doing that with supper: stick head in fridge, and begin to toss out unrelated items as they occur to you: Sriracha hot sauce, raw eggs, pickles, orange marmalade, a bottle of Hefeweizen, a slab of meatloaf, a half-eaten strawberry yogurt, and a tamale. Jumble together, and serve. This is often the preferred method employed by many preparing to lead in worship on the Lord's Day. We pray whatever comes to mind--and often what comes to mind are scraps, with little substance or cohesion. While there is a place for spontaneity, even spontaneity can become redundant.

Because this is more of a reference book, I have not finished it. But from what I have read so far, this is an excellent resource for ministers who want to lead in prayer more biblically and thoughtfully. Helpful introductory comments are included before collections of prayers Old wrote throughout his long ministry. Chapters include the Invocation, the Psalms as Prayer, Prayers of Confession and Supplication, The Prayer for Illumination, Prayers of Intercession, Communion Prayers and others.

The book is rich with examples. Together with Matthew Henry's A Method for Prayer, a minister is well equipped to pray in the same voice as the prayers we see in the Scripture.

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the cover photo of Calvin's St. Peter's, Geneva to the order for prayer on the last (370th) page, this is pure liturgical gold.

Hughes O. Old is THE leading liturgist and authority on historical worship in the English-speaking Reformed world. The essays on prayer in worship, the sample prayers, the liturgies -- it is all priceless. This is a MUST HAVE for any pastor.

The weaknesses of the book are minor.
1. No index, though the prayers are arranged well topically.
2. The binding by Eerdmans is slightly below their usually high standards. One copy (I have bought three) had some pages fall out within a few uses. It is glued (not sown) softcover with large 8.5 x 11 pages, so its not built for constant use. Given that this is a reference book, this can be a problem.

Some other good resources for sample prayers I have used recently: Stanley Hauerwas, Prayers Plainly Spoken (quirky, but often beautiful); The Worship Sourcebook (2005 by CRC).

[Elijah Hoyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book convinced me to write out prayers for corporate worship and to spend at least half a day preparing those prayers. When the person who leads in worship or assists in that prays, they are praying on behalf of God’s people to God. This is a vital part of the life of the church, while spontaneous prayers cans be healthy, the greater part of the diet should be well thought out prayers. Through this the congregation learns how she ought to pray.

[Matt Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

As important as it is to read books about prayer, this book equips you to actually lead prayer in public worship. Leaving the question of written prayers aside, Dr. Old gives descriptions of the different types of prayer Protestant churches have. As good as that is, the best part is the actual prayers he gives. He has sections on prayers of invocation, illumination, confession, the Psalms, intercession, communion, and the benediction. It is a treasure trove of prayers, all of which are derived from Scripture itself. It is a pastor's best friend, but it is helpful to all who might be called upon to lead public prayer.

[Nick Roark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Instructive.

[Jakob Siegel · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most informative books I've read on liturgy/public/congregational prayer. Has influenced my pastoral ministry greatly.

[Felipe Sabino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este é um dos livros que releio com grande frequência. Alas, quanta coisa ainda a aprender!

[Christian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great reference book.

[Peter Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent manual for anyone who leads in public prayer or is just looking for examples of prayer. Old outlines the basic types of prayers in a worship service. He begins by giving a brief biblical and historical essay and then gives examples of between 20-30 of his own prayers that he wrote for his worship services. All of Old's works are worth purchasing for pastors or those who lead in worship. This one was no exception.

[Luke Brodine · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant work! it has upped my vision of what corporate prayer has been and can be. it's a history book, a workbook and a devotional work all in one. a must have for anyone involved in leading or planning worship.

[J.E. Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great workbook that helped me get a fuller and deeper grasp of the significance and place of the various prayers that occur throughout a worship service, as well as giving bountiful examples of each type. Another great resource.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource for pastors and worship leaders: good comprehensive overviews of the various prayers in a proper worship service as well as a helpful compilation of example prayers from Old's ministry.

[Richard Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some very good things in this book, but the reformed theology really got to me sometimes. It will join other books on my shelf and be used for reference for years to come though.

[Cbarrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you lead in public prayer you will be well served by this book.

[Alex]

While I did not agree with everything, it was an overall edifying read - stressing the importance of public prayer. This was a required read with accompanying exercises for a course at RTS.