I am having a big problem with praying in our congregation. They are asking us to break up into small groups during worship and pray between ourselves. I do not think that this is biblical for various reasons. What if the groups are all same sex, or even mixed groups? I have not seen women praying in the groups. I have been told that they are praying with men present. I am really confused. ~ Will and Donna Ferrell
New Testament Scripture defines the worship assembly as the whole church coming together at one time in once place. “If therefore the whole church be come together into one place . . .” (1 Corinthians 14:23). “When ye come together therefore into one place . . .” (1 Corinthians 11:20). To break into small groups for prayer during the worship assembly is counter to what the biblical record reveals regarding the nature of the assembly of the local church. Further, such an activity may parallel the conduct of the Corinthian church, which divisive conduct was condemned in 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, and certainly could contribute to a non-cohesive fellowship. (However, Bible studies or classes observable in the New Testament do not require the entire local church to assemble in one place at one time.)
Women, of course, may pray and lead prayers in the presence of other women without violating any biblical principles. Mixed groups including men and women, though, fall under biblical restrictions where male Christians may lead prayers, whereas female Christians must not lead prayers in the presence of men. This is not an issue of self-worth, etc., but simply a matter of different roles respectively assigned by God to male and female Christians. “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God” (1 Corinthians 11:3). God assigned those respective roles at creation and again following the sin of Adam and Eve.
“For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man” (1 Corinthians 11:8-9).
“For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression” (1 Timothy 2:13-14).
Women are to be silent in the assembly, including praying, leading singing, preaching and interpreting (translating).
“I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. . . .Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence” (1 Timothy 2:8-12).
“Let your women keep silence in the churches [assemblies]: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church [assembly]” (1 Corinthians 14:34-35).
For a more in depth treatment of the biblical role of women in the church and the home, please review the archives of Gospel Gazette Online (https://www.gospelgazette.com/archives/index.shtml) under the topic of “Women.”
