Are "Chain Prayers" Scripturally Acceptable?
A chain prayer is where adult males and females are gathered together for the purpose of prayer and each member of that group will lead a prayer in turn while the other members listen. Is such a practice acceptable and authorized by God?
While it would be emotionally appealing to a group to support such a practice, it is simply not authorized by the word of God (Colossians 3:17). In the context of 1 Timothy 2:8-15, Paul is dealing with the spiritual activity of the church (whether it be outside the worship assembly or inside the worship assembly). Notice in 1 Timothy 2:8 that Paul states: "I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting."
1. The word "men" is the Greek word "aner, " which literally means "male."
2. The word "everywhere" means "in every place" (1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 2:14; 1 Thessalonians 1:8). It is whenever men and women are gathered together for a spiritual activity that it is the male's role to be in the spiritual leadership role.
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