Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1995 - Rparchives.org

172 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THEpraise, but the worship of God's house ought not to be the occasion ofinstruction and practice in new and unfamiliar versions.8. Those who lead the singing in public worship should ordinarily bemembers of the congregation, and in any case must be persons of recognizedChristian character. A choir may be formed to help lead the praise, butsinging must not be left to the choir. Congregational singing ought always tobe the rule.Psalm Explanation9. The Psalms have a depth of meaning and beauty which will repay themost careful study. It is vitally important that we understand what we aresinging. Therefore it will be helpful if the minister explains one of the Psalmsto be sung, before singing it, and, with the other singings, draws attention ina few words to the theme of the praise and the reason for its being chosen.This is especially desirable because the Psalms look forward, often throughexplicit symbols and prophecies, to Christ and the New Testament era.Prayer10. Prayer is an essential element of public worship in which theworshippers are led to the throne of grace. Prayer is to be offered in thename of Jesus Christ, with the utmost reverence in thought, language, andmanner, and with the deep humility appropriate to sinners approaching thepresence of the Holy God. Although led by the minister or an elder, itbecomes the prayer of the whole assembly as the Lord's people participate bygiving earnest attention to the content of the prayer and adding, from thedepths of their hearts, their enthusiastic concurrence with its petitions.11. The number of prayers will be determined by the nature and purposeof the service. Ordinarily, there will be a prayer of invocation at thebeginning, a prayer of intercession prior to the sermon, and a prayer ofthanksgiving after the sermon or the sacraments.12. The prayer of invocation has already been mentioned in connectionwith the call to worship. It is appropriate that the first act of worship beprayer that expresses adoration for the Lord as the One who is worthy to bepraised, and petitions him to be present with his people, by the Holy Spirit,as they seek to draw near to him, to prepare their hearts, and guide and blessthem in every part of the worship of God.13. The prayer of intercession precedes the preaching of the word andshould be comprehensive without being excessively prolonged. It shouldinclude the following: