Greetings from Zimbabwe, I was asked why in the churches of Christ unlike in some denominations why is it only a single person stands to pray out aloud, why don’t every bro or sister pray for themself aloud? ~ Joshua Mukusha
New Testament Scripture specifically forbids multiple persons speaking at the same time aloud in the assembly. The apostle Paul rebuked the Corinthian church because multiple persons were speaking aloud at the same time in its assemblies. Male Christians are to take turns speaking aloud in the assembly. Further, female Christians are forbidden to speak aloud in the worship assembly.
How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. Let your women keep silent in the churches [assemblies], for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church [the assembly]. (1 Corinthians 14:26-35 NKJV)
Rather than mimicking denominations, Bible students who revere God’s Word will conform to divine instruction. Regarding public prayers, that means one male Christian at a time may speak in the assembly and women may not speak publicly in the worship assembly at all (except for the congregational singing).
