Title – Reading the Bible and Praying in Public

Author – Stuart Olyott

Publisher – Carlisle:  The Banner of Truth Trust, 2010 (reprint)

We incorporate Scripture reading in our worship service.  A friend handed me this booklet to read.

Public Scripture Reading:  “So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them [the hearers] to understand the reading.” – Nehemiah 8:8

Pastor Olyott highlighted six characteristics about the Word:  1. Spirit-inspired, 2. infallible and inerrant – the very Word of God, 3. perspicuous, 4. for all, 5. supremely for the church, and 6. sufficient.

The last entry (#6) chided me a bit because I have a tendency to interject my own personal ditties to the Scripture.  But why should I?  The Scripture is sufficient.

Public Prayer:  “And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.” – Acts 20:36

The author emphasized how the prayer is  1. public,  2. didactic, 3. pastoral, and 4. fresh.