Prayer is a vital part of the Christian faith. Christians are called to pray constantly (1 Thessalonians 5:17). This includes praying both privately and with other believers. However, some question whether public prayer is biblical. What does the Bible say about praying in public?
There are several examples of public prayer in the Bible. Jesus himself prayed publicly on several occasions. Before feeding the five thousand, Jesus “took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said a blessing and broke the loaves” (Luke 9:16). He prayed publicly at the tomb of Lazarus before raising him from the dead (John 11:41-42). On the night before his crucifixion, Jesus prayed aloud for his disciples and future believers in his high priestly prayer (John 17:1-26).
The disciples also joined together in public prayer after Jesus’ ascension. In Acts 1:14, Luke writes, “All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.” After being released from prison, Peter went to the house of Mary and prayed with the believers gathered there (Acts 12:12). The new Christians in Antioch fasted and prayed together before sending out Paul and Barnabas as missionaries (Acts 13:3).
In addition to praying together, the early Christians made public prayers a part of their worship services. In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul gives instructions for how prophecy and tongues should be handled orderly in public worship gatherings. He assumes corporate prayer will be part of these meetings, stating “if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say ‘Amen’ to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying?” (1 Cor 14:16). The implication is that audible, public prayers were expected in the Corinthian church services.
Paul also references public prayer in 1 Timothy 2:1-8, where he urges that “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life.” He wants men in particular to lead these public prayers without anger or controversy. While prayer should be a private matter as well, Paul sees corporate prayer for civil authorities as vital to the mission of the church.
There are good reasons for Christians to pray together publicly. For one, Jesus said “where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20). There is power when believers join their hearts and voices in prayer. Jesus also taught that public prayers avoid hypocrisy, whereas those only praying in private might be doing so just to be seen by God alone (Matthew 6:5-6). Praying together strengthens unity, as the early church did “with one accord” (Acts 1:14). Corporate prayer emboldens our witness, as we speak the truth of Christ in the public square.
Of course, prayer should not be done for show or to draw attention to oneself (Matthew 6:5). Prayers in public worship should be orderly, clear, and edifying (1 Corinthians 14:15-17, 26-33). Jesus condemned long public prayers that are just for show (Mark 12:40). Corporate prayer does not preclude secret prayer, but enhances it.
Here are some biblical principles for public prayer:
- Pray in Jesus’ name (John 14:13-14)
- Pray according to God’s will (1 John 5:14-15)
- Pray with humility (Luke 18:9-14)
- Pray with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6-7)
- Pray with faith (James 1:5-8)
- Pray with sincerity and honesty (Psalm 145:18)
- Pray with unity of purpose (Acts 1:14)
- Pray with brevity and clarity (Matthew 6:7, 1 Corinthians 14:15)
- Pray with order, taking turns (1 Corinthians 14:27, 31)
- Pray with reverence and awe (Hebrews 12:28-29)
In conclusion, public prayer is very biblical. Jesus and the apostles modeled corporate prayer. The early church made it an essential part of their worship and mission. When done according to biblical principles, praying together builds unity, inspires reverence for God, and advances Christ’s kingdom. Private prayer is still needed, but there is great blessing when Christians join their voices publicly to magnify the Lord.
Here are some common public prayer situations seen in the Bible:
Praying Together at Church
Public prayers during church services and gatherings are very common in the New Testament. Believers prayed together on the Sabbath (Acts 13:14-16), joined in hymns and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19), and made use of spiritual gifts including prophecy and tongues during their meetings (1 Corinthians 14:23-39). Paul gives regulations for how to pray and prophesy in orderly ways in worship services. He assumes corporate prayer will be part of the liturgy. The practice of congregational prayer continued after the biblical period and still remains an important part of most Christian worship services today.
Praying at Meals
It was customary for Jewish people in Jesus’ day to give thanks to God before meals. Jesus expanded upon this tradition and made prayer at meals an opportunity to commune with God. He gave thanks and blessed food publicly on several occasions in the gospels (Matthew 14:19, 15:36; Mark 6:41, 8:7; Luke 9:16, 24:30; John 6:11, 23). Acts 2:46 describes believers breaking bread together daily in homes with “glad and generous hearts.” Giving thanks before eating food together reflects humility, dependence on God, and joy in simple provision.
Praying for Civic Leaders
The Bible calls Christians to pray for those in authority over them, that the spread of the gospel might continue with minimal resistance. The prophet Jeremiah called the Jewish exiles in Babylon to “seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper” (Jeremiah 29:7). Jesus called his followers to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Paul urges prayers “for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Timothy 2:2). Peter also commanded: “Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:17). Lifting leaders up in prayer honors God’s sovereignty over nations.
Praying for Healing and Miracles
One of the most common types of public prayer recorded in the book of Acts is petitions for healing and miraculous signs. Early believers prayed fervently for God to work wonders through the apostles as evidence of Christ’s power. As Peter visited the saints in Lydda, “he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. ‘Aeneas,’ Peter said to him, ‘Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.’ Immediately Aeneas got up” (Acts 9:33-34). Even handkerchiefs that Paul had touched were brought to the sick to miraculously heal diseases and drive out evil spirits (Acts 19:11-12). God often chose to answer prayers for healings publicly, so many would see His glory and believe in the gospel.
Praying for the Spirit’s Power
Believers in Acts frequently gathered to plead for fresh fillings of the Holy Spirit’s power and boldness. After Peter and John were released from prison, they joined with fellow believers in prayer “and the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God boldly” (Acts 4:31). Hand in hand with proclaiming the gospel, the early church constantly sought renewed spiritual power through corporate prayer. As with healings, prayed-for outpourings of the Spirit often came quite publicly—causing shaking buildings and giving abilities to preach Christ with conviction.
Praying for Deliverance
At times in Acts, Christians assembled to appeal to God for aid and deliverance from harm. When Herod imprisoned Peter, “the church was earnestly praying to God for him” and he was miraculously freed (Acts 12:5, 12). Paul’s dangerous ocean voyage to Rome concluded with him joining fellow believers to thank God for safety after shipwreck (Acts 28:15). United prayer for rescue in times of trial gave assurance that God was in control, working through the church. Believers trusted that He heard their corporate cries for help. Their public prayers glorified the Lord when protection came.
Praying over Leadership Appointments
In Acts, public prayer also accompanied selection of church leaders. As the apostles in Jerusalem needed help caring for widows, they declared: “Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:3-4). Likewise, prayer accompanied ordination of missionaries Paul and Barnabas: “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off” (Acts 13:2-3). Prayer helped confirm the Spirit’s gifting and calling on leaders’ lives.
Praying for the Dead
Public prayer surrounded death and burial in the early church—comforting survivors and honoring deceased believers’ lives. When godly Tabitha died suddenly in Joppa, Peter “got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, ‘Tabitha, get up.’ She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up” (Acts 9:40). In Troas, Paul spoke extensively before Eutychus fell asleep, fell from a window, and died. After Paul embraced him, he declared “Don’t be alarmed. He’s alive!” Believers were then greatly comforted (Acts 20:7-12). Prayer allowed grief to transition into hope in resurrection victory.
As we can see, corporate prayer assumes a vital role throughout the book of Acts and the New Testament letters. Praying together spiritually undergirds the church’s preaching, healing, ministry, decision-making, miracles, and expansion. It is rooted in Jesus’ own practices and promises. The Bible demonstrates that communal prayer is a rich blessing God intends to sustain the body of Christ until Christ’s return. United prayer equips all believers to fully align their hearts with God’s will and walk in humble dependence upon the Spirit’s guidance each day. When its biblical purposes are embraced, public prayer unleashes divine power upon the church’s witness.