A primary point in worshipping God Almighty is praying unto Him, seeking His face and counsel for our lives here.  Paul even says, “Pray without ceasing.” (I Thessalonians 5:17) Therefore, this command is incumbent upon us in all seasons, but the topic of discussion begs the question, “What does it take for proper prayer?”  Is it acceptable for public worship, private worship, or both?  James tells us, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16) Notice the language here.  The text says “a righteous man.”  Proper, effectual, God-honouring prayer can be accomplished through the sole effort of one righteous man.  While we should be thankful to have a host of people praying on our behalf, the effectiveness of prayer’s power can be accomplished through the act of one person!

Another pivotal point of worshipping God and showing proper respect and honour for what He has enjoined unto us is to learn about Him, study His word, and seek to do better than we have in the past.  The Bible is not a roadmap to heaven, but it serves as a complete furnisher for us here in our decisions and behaviour.  Therefore, we need to be digging into it to uncover the rich truth of God’s promises and our behaviour to show in accordance with those promises.  Paul exhorts the young minister to, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (II Timothy 2:15) Again, notice the language of the text:  “a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.”  Study to shew “thyself.”  How many people does it take for effective, God-honouring study of His written word?  The answer is again just one individual.

Moving into the realm of preaching and the assembling of the saints for public worship, let us consider what it takes for proper public worship.  We have already proven that prayer and study can be effectively measured privately in the home or elsewhere.  What does it take, on the other hand, to worship God publicly?  Scripture again tells us that the Lord spoke to a woman of Samaria about public worship, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24) Reading the verses prior to this one, we discover that they are discussing public worship, and our Lord impresses upon the woman that location is not nearly as important as the mode.  Spirit and truth must be upheld for public worship to be acceptable to God, but what does the language speak of about the number of people?  The passage uses the words “they” and “worshippers” not “he,” “she,” or “worshipper.”  It speaks of a plurality of persons for public worship to be effective.

Therefore, the conclusion of the matter must be clear.  Prayer and study can be effective with singular activity, but public worship must have multiple persons for a proper mode.  While the context of Matthew 18 is that of church discipline in matters pertaining to offenses, we read that two or three met together in His name is needful for Him to be in their midst as far as assembling is concerned. (Matthew 18:20) So, if we can study effectively as individuals and pray effectively as individuals but only worship properly as a group, why would the church gather for a purpose other than a public worship mode?  Let us be clear about this matter.  Public worship must be held in a superior position in our minds than the private nature of prayer and study.  While prayer accompanies public worship, that is not the “long and short” of public worship.  While private study should go before and follow public worship (prepare for the assembly in God’s house and search out what is heard daily to see whether these things are so), it is, by its nature, not on the level of public worship.

God instituted preaching as the superior teaching mode. (I Corinthians 1:21) Why should the church meet using an inferior teaching mode that is more acceptable and fitting for the private worship of an individual or a family group?  The answer, from Scripture designation of worship, should be clear.  When the church gathers, let us strive to go up in our worship to a level that we cannot attain by ourselves.  As members of His body gathered together, we are able to do greater things than a bodily member can do singularly.  For example, a finger is able to grasp a small object by itself, but a hand, fingers, arm, shoulder, and chest are able to grasp and lift things together that the finger cannot do singularly.  Therefore, if the other members are present, may we strive to do collectively what we cannot do singularly.  Then, as individuals, may we do privately “what we can” until the next occasion to meet together with the saints and uplift Him in singing, preaching, and prayer.  May the Lord bless us all to rightly divide the two areas of worship and be found so doing with every fiber of our being to honour Him not only as we can but also as we should.

Philip N. Conley

Written: 12/7/2008

Revised: 12/9/2008