# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S511
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS 511

2 Wuereas, The minority report of the synodical committee
- rightly holds that this distinction has no validity, but wrongly
- understands Question 222 of our old synodical Catechism as refer-
ring to outward acts of prayer in the visible Church, while it
actually refers to an inward spiritual reality in the invisible
Church (as the wording of our new synodical Catechism, Ques-
tion 216, makes abundantly clear)”; and

“Wuereas, Such distinction between “prayer fellowship” and
‘joint prayer” has been used as though Synod does not sanction
“prayer fellowship” with heterodox Christians, but does sanction
‘Joint prayer” with heterodox Christians on any occasion, pro-
vided that there is no denial of the truth in the wording of the
prayers; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That we petition Synod in convention assembled
to declare:

1. That there is no Scriptural basis for a distinction between
“prayer fellowship” and “joint prayer,” and that our Synod regards
these expressions as synonymous; and

2. That joint worship with the heterodox is contrary to Rom.
16:17; Titus 3:10; 2 John 10—11; 2 Thess. 3:6.

(Signed) Zion Ev. LuTHERAN CuHurcH, Cuicaco, ILu.
“Cart G. Kruse, Pastor

Signature attested by (Rev.) H. D. Mensine
Tinley Park, Il., April 5, 1950

[643]
Joint Prayer or Prayer Fellowship?

Wuereas, The commands “avoid them,” “an heretic reject,”
Rom. 16:17; Tit.3:10, leave no room for joint prayer, or prayer
fellowship, with the heterodox; and

WHEREAS, Joint prayer, or prayer fellowship, is always a con-
fessional act, as is evident from the meaning Scripture puts into the
expression “call upon the name of the.,Lord,” Gen. 4:26 and
54 other Old Testament and ten New Testament texts; and

-. WHEREAS, Joint prayer, or prayer fellowship, would involve
that leadership in such prayer be granted also to the heterodox; and

Wuereas, Without a common meaning attached to the common
words the joint prayer, or prayer fellowship, becomes vain n repeti-
tions, 1Cor.1:10; Phil.1:27; and

Wuereas, Joint prayer, or prayer fellowship, with the heterodox
can be defended only by arguments from silence, false interpreta-
tions of Scripture, and poor reasoning; and

Taye a Ree 6 ge 4S

Mee Te: