Recently I went to a prayer meeting that involved leaders from a variety of different Christian collegiate ministries. In situations like these it’s interesting to observe how each group seems to have their own style of prayer.

Some are more flamboyant and visibly emotional in their prayers; Some are more physically expressive choosing to physically kneel down for long periods of the prayer meeting; Others are more reserved in their physical demeanor but more deliberate in their choice of words as they communicate to God.

Are some wrong and others right? While our prayers should always be Biblically informed, Christ-centered and sincerely expressed, I think that prayer style is similar to the variety that exists among Kung Fu styles. While I’m certainly no Kung Fu master, by watching Kung Fu Panda and other random movies I’m aware that there are multiple different styles within the discipline: Dragon Style, Monkey Style and Tiger Style, among others. Each is distinctive, but all can be effective.

Instead of getting prideful and thinking that we are more holy than that person from another church or ministry, and avoiding the next ecumenical prayer meeting, how much stronger would the collective body of Christ be if we recognized each others strengths and honored them.