What do you all think of this would it be scriptural, I know the man is to take the lead but in a famil arrangement would it be alright for a hysband to pray and then listen to his wife talk to her heavenly father also.
I know in many religions they have prayer meetingsn and there are scriptures where women along with men were together and from reading seems they all took part in the praying.
The scripture about women taking lead over men and head coverings doesn't seem to be referring to not being able to pray in the presence of men, but "teaching and exercising authority over a man" in a family situation atleast I think we as christians should be able to have prayer meetings praying aloud to our heavenly father while the others listen.
What do you all think, have any of you practiced anything like this, I think it would help a family draw closer to one another and God.
Hi SoldierOf Christ,
I’m puzzled by all the technical fuss that has been made about this topic. I would have thought it such a good thing to be married to somebody who is just as interested in their relationship with God as we are that the technical stuff would be relatively insignificant. Many really do think it matters a lot, and it might offend God because a structure was not recognised.
I get the impression that Christian activities in the very early congregations were not structured. And it seems, too, that women were ministerial servants and prophetesses. Then all that changed within a couple of decades, I think. Maybe there was good reason for it – maybe when numbers increase, you just have to organise everything.
From the little I’ve read about this, I get the impression that Paul was worried that strong women would dominate the congregations, and because they were converted from a religion that placed women first as ‘daughters of the goddess’, Paul feared that they might change the teaching of the natural order of creation from ‘man first, then woman’ to the opposite.
Whatever about that, I wonder why anyone would care about technicalities so long as the basics are understood by all. In homes and small groups, there is often the worry about ‘how will we cope if there isn’t a brother to pray? I don’t get it. God was rarely interested in formalities, except when He needed to drive home an important point. If the spirit of the law is in hearts, why worry about who prays and who listens?
Nobody ever seems to ask the question about how boring it might be never to take the lead in any way. I was in that position as a JW for 15 years and it’s mind-blowingly boring. Some genius has decided that women are happier making the sandwiches than leading in prayer or giving a talk. Only women themselves know if this is true, but I doubt it.
I think when in doubt, do whatever is upbuilding for everyone.
Regards,
Brendan.
SoC,
I have the opportunity to meet with friends and pray. In a group and family settings, such as over a meal, we would alternate who prayed, whether it was man or women.
Also I try to pray with others as often as I can. In the case of when I am among Brothers, we usually each take turns praying,(Personally, I like to let the brother(s) go first and I go last..:)). It is wonderful to hear each others prayers and what is in their hearts. It also gives the opportunity to pray for one another and supplicate our Father in behalf of our brethern.
Jam 5:13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. :14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. :15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. :16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
What a wonderful honor we have, no matter what gender we may be, to share in such a loving moment with our Father, and the body of Christ.
Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."
Love to all
Lynn