54-3. It is appropriate that the offerings be dedicated by prayer.

DIGEST : The current text remains unchanged from PCA 1975 (M3GA, 3-70, p. 83). The text initially adopted by the PCA dated to the 1929 revision of the PCUS Directory for Worship. The three paragraphs of this chapter were not found in the PCUS Directory prior to 1929.

BACKGROUND AND COMPARISON :
PCA 1975 [M3GA, 3-70, p. 83]
It is appropriate that the offerings be dedicated by prayer.

1. PCA 1973, Adopted text, DfW, 7-3 (M1GA, Appendix, p. 157)
2. Continuing Presbyterian Church 1973, Proposed text, p. 66
3. PCUS 1933, VII, §330.
The element of worship in Christian giving should be emphasized by a prayer of dedication at the time of the presentation of the offering.

No comparable provision in :
1. PCUS 1925
2. PCUS 1894

OTHER COMPARISONS :
OPC 2005, Directory for the Public Worship of God, III-7 [partial; see under 54-1 for full text]
. . . In order that the receiving of the offering may stand out as a specific act of worship it is well that the minister either precede or immediately follow it with a brief prayer, invoking the presence of God upon the offering and devoting it to his service. . .

COMMENTARY:
Morton H. Smith, Commentary on the Book of Church Order, 6th edition, 2007, p. 426.
The gathering of the offerings need not be done with the passing of a plate. Some congregations have an offering box provided near the door, where the worshippers place their offerings. It is appropriate that offerings be dedicated with prayer, as David did in I Chron. 29.