Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1997 - Rparchives.org

224 MINUTES OF THE 1997 SYNOD OF THE
(d) Supplication for sanctification by His Spirit: the mortification of sin
dwelling in us; the enlivening of our souls with the life of God in Christ; grace
to equip us for our life and witness before God and in the world; strength
against temptations; the godly use of both blessings and trials; and
perseverance in the faith throughout our lives.
(e) Intercession for the spread of the gospel and the kingdom of Christ to
all the nations of the world: for conversion of the Jews, the fullness of the
Gentiles, the fall of Antichrist, and the hastening of the second coming of our
Lord; for the flourishing of the church at home and abroad; and for the relief
from oppression of persecuted believers; and for civil governments, that they
would rule with justice in the fear of the Lord.
(f) Specific petitions for the people of the congregation and the
community: for the sick and distressed; for the challenges of the coming
week; for the growth of the fellowship and the reaching of the lost; and, in
thankfulness, for the manifest blessings of the day and the promises for the
future.
(g) Blessing the Lord for the Lord's Day and the joy and privilege of
gathering for worship; and praying for the demonstration and power of the
Holy Spirit in the preaching of the Word, to the end that Christ may be so
formed in us, and live in us, that all our thoughts might be brought into
captivity to the obedience of Christ, and our hearts established in every good
word and work forever.
13. The prayer of thanksgiving follows the preaching of the Word, or the
administration of the Sacraments, and gives thanks to God for his goodness toward
us, together with the prayer that He impress the truth on the hearts of all present
and accept graciously the worship that has been offered.
14. The Scriptures do not explicitly command particular postures in prayer.
They do give the examples of kneeling and standing as postures that are suitable
signs of reverence. The condition for acceptable prayer is a reverent, humble
attitude in the heart.
15. When men other than the minister are called upon to engage in public
prayer in any service of worship, they should be given time for thoughtful
preparation.
16. Congregations may join together in the corporate use of the Lord's Prayer,
but the reading or recitation of written prayers is generally not to be encouraged.
The Offering
17. The receiving of tithes and offerings may be included in the order of
service, since we are commanded to set aside our offerings on the first day of the
week (I Cor. 16:2). God calls His people to return a portion of their substance to
Him; cheerfully, systematically, and as He has prospered them. In general, the
Christian's giving to the Lord's work should be through the church of which he is a
member, without restrictive designation to specific aims, unless called for by the