Thoughts on public prayer - Miller - II - Chapter 1 concluded

Required reading
Thoughts on public prayer by Samuel Miller (Available from Amazon or free here) - Conclude Chapter 1.

My summary
Today we conclude Chapter One which serves as an introduction to the subject of public prayer.

Miller tells us that there are two things that are worth particular notice in preparing for corporate prayer:
(i) the spirit of prayer;
(ii) the gift of prayer.

Miller explains that although one or the other can be had on its own, both are necessary for leading public prayer well.

Miller then gives examples of great preachers who did not lead corporate prayer well.

What grabbed me
I liked how Miller expressed the important responsibility of public prayer: 'There are certain views of public prayer which, however obvious, and however interesting, must be forgotten or overlooked, before slight impressions of its importance, or a materially incorrect estimate of its appropriate characteristics can be admitted. This prayer is, of course, to be considered, as the united act of him who leads, and of all who join him in the exercise. Were it to be regarded as merely the vocal utterance of the wants and desires of the individual who presides and leads, it would be by no means invested with the responsible and touching character which really belongs to it. But, when regarded as the joint and humble supplication of hundreds of penitent and believing souls, all engaged in pouring out their hearts to the God of salvation, it assumes an aspect, not only deeply interesting, but eminently adapted to enlist and elevate all the most devout feelings of the worshippers. What an important office does he occupy, who undertakes to be the leader in such an exercise! How full, at once, of responsibility and of interest ! What presence of mind, what self-possession, what enlightened and ardent piety, what judgment, what taste, what a delicate perception of the wants and the privileges of the people of God, and what power to express them aright, are indispensable to the appropriate and the suitable discharge of this high duty ! '

Indeed - what a great responsibility!

Next week's reading
Commence Chapter 2 by reading up to the paragraph 'Equally without evidence are we that public forms of prayer were in use during the first five hundred years after the Apostles.'

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.