Offertory Prayers

For many years, we have not said a prayer before receiving the offering at church. We give the announcements, and then invite the ushers to come forward as we continue right along with the service (usually we sing during the offering.)

Pastor Tim recently returned from a missions trip with a suggestion. "Hey," he said, "I saw something really unique at the church we visited in Texas. Before they receive the offering, they stop and pray first! Now, that's a cool idea, and I think we ought to try it!"

He was so enthused, I didn't have the heart to tell him that Hayward Wesleyan USED to do that every week -- and I moved us away from it, because we ended up saying exactly the same vain repetitions week in and week out. It seemed ritualistic, old and stale -- so I cut it out of the service.

So, now, Tim's gone to y the attic and found the offertory prayer again -- dusted it off, and said, "Let's give it a whirl!"

For the past several weeks, after giving the announcements, he has stopped and said a brief prayer before the offering is received. Each time we've had a fantastic offering!

Here's a great resource to help keep the offertory prayers fresh.