bidding prayer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2/Extremely RareFormal, Liturgical, Historical
Quick answer
What does “bidding prayer” mean?
A formal prayer in Christian liturgy where the congregation is directed or invited to pray for specific intentions announced by the minister.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A formal prayer in Christian liturgy where the congregation is directed or invited to pray for specific intentions announced by the minister.
Historically, in medieval and early modern England, a public announcement or proclamation, often of governmental decrees or community matters, made before a prayer for the matter; more broadly, any formal, prescribed call to prayer containing specific petitions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is more likely to be encountered in UK contexts due to the established nature of the Church of England. In the US, it would be recognized primarily in The Episcopal Church, which has similar liturgy.
Connotations
Connotes traditional, formal liturgy. In the UK, it can also carry historical or antiquarian connotations related to pre-Reformation or Tudor church practices.
Frequency
Vanishingly rare in everyday speech in both regions. Slightly higher frequency in UK in specialised religious or historical texts.
Grammar
How to Use “bidding prayer” in a Sentence
deliver/give/say/pronounce + the + bidding prayerthe bidding prayer + for + [intention]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bidding prayer” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The vicar will bid the prayers for the realm during the solemn service.
- It was customary to bid the congregation to pray for the monarch.
American English
- The rector bid the prayers for the sick and suffering.
- The deacon bids us to pray for peace in the liturgy.
adverb
British English
- The minister spoke biddingly, directing the congregation's devotions.
- He read the intentions biddingly, with solemn pauses.
American English
- She prayerfully and biddingly guided the assembly through the petitions.
adjective
British English
- The bidding form was carefully printed in the service booklet.
- They followed the traditional bidding rite.
American English
- The bidding portion of the service outlined specific intercessions.
- He studied the bidding structure of the ancient liturgy.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in historical, theological, or liturgical studies discussing Christian worship practices.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
A precise term within liturgiology (the study of Christian worship).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bidding prayer”
- Using it to refer to competitive bidding at an auction. *'He won the contract with a clever bidding prayer.' (Incorrect)
- Confusing it with 'bedding prayer' or 'binding prayer' due to phonetic similarity.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not. The 'bidding' here comes from the archaic verb 'to bid' meaning 'to command' or 'to invite', not the modern financial sense of making an offer.
Typically, no. It is most closely associated with the Anglican/Episcopal tradition, though similar forms of directed intercessory prayer exist in other denominations under different names.
Almost never. It is a highly specific religious and historical term. Using it metaphorically in a secular context would be opaque and confusing.
Its primary function is liturgical: to structure the intercessory prayers of a congregation by announcing (bidding) the topics or persons for whom prayer is to be offered, ensuring comprehensive and communal prayer.
A formal prayer in Christian liturgy where the congregation is directed or invited to pray for specific intentions announced by the minister.
Bidding prayer is usually formal, liturgical, historical in register.
Bidding prayer: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɪdɪŋ ˌpreə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɪdɪŋ ˌprɛr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a church leader BIDDING (instructing) the congregation what to pray FOR, thus creating a BIDDING PRAYER.
Conceptual Metaphor
PRAYER IS A PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT / GUIDANCE IS A COMMAND (archaic sense of 'bid').
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter the term 'bidding prayer'?