Joint Prayer

Abstract

Following in the tracks of the Iowa Synod, the Missouri Synod maintained that there was a difference between prayer fellowship and joint prayer. Joint prayer was permissible in meetings where the purpose was the discussion of doctrinal differences. However, if one can pray with heterodox Lutherans, one can also pray with non-Lutherans. Prayer is always an act of worship and those who join in prayer should be of one faith and of one mind. Joint prayer then gives the impression that those who pray together are of one faith and of one mind when, in fact, they may not share unity.