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Why do we have the opening prayer AFTER the song service?  Doesn’t it sound more logical to enclose everything we do within prayer?

This question comes in from time to time.  It sounds quite logical to enclose everything in prayer, but we need to understand a couple of concepts here.  The current service outline we have is the product of many, many years of experience, study and meditation.

Concept 1: The opening song service is CALL TO WORSHIP.  We are dealing with humans here and humans, by definition, are weak and finite.  Prior to any service, we have people in the restrooms, changing infants or in the lobby talking to other brethren.  How do you get everyone into services?  Do we hope that everyone's watches are synchronized?  Do we make resounding announcements on the sound system, assuming we have one?  How do we do this?  "Services will begin in ten minutes."  "Services will begin in just five minutes."  "Services are beginning, please find your seats now."  The problem with this is that it comes across as rather infantile or as something a cult would do.  Can you imagine doing this week after week?  How much more subtle it is to simply begin the song service and let the music and singing call everyone to service.  I have witnessed this for decades and it works every time.  When the song service begins and everyone is singing, there is no doubt in the entire building that services are beginning

Concept 2:  The song service IS prayer and worship before our God.  Notice...

Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. –Ps 100:2

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. –Eph 5:19-20

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. –Ps 95:2

When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. –Ps 42:4

It is clear that God loves the song service and it is another form of prayer and/or worship.
 

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