52-5. All prayer is to be offered in the language of the people.

DIGEST: The current text dates to 1975 [M3GA, 3-69, p. 81] and remains unchanged from that time.

BACKGROUND AND COMPARISONS :
PCA 1975, 53-5, M3GA, 3-69, p. 82
All prayer is to be offered in the language of the people.

1. Continuing Presbyterian Church 1973, Proposed text, DfW 5-5, p. 65
2. PCUS 1933, DfW, V, §321.
3. PCUS 1929, DfW, V, §321.
The posture of the people in public prayer should always be reverent and as far as possible uniform.

1. PCUS 1927, DfW, V, §321.
2. PCUS 1894, DfW 5-5, §300.
The posture of the people in public prayer should always be reverent, and as far as possible uniform. The standing posture is sanctioned by Scripture, and is recommended by the practice of the primitive church, and by immemorial usage of Presbyterians.

COMMENTARY:
Morton H. Smith, Commentary on the Book of Church Order, 6th edition, 2007, p. 420.
This final paragraph forbids the minister from using languages not understood by the people. Two practices are forbidden. The Roman Catholic practice of conducting the service in Latin, even though it was not understood by the people is certainly forbidden. Also praying in unknown tongues is forbidden.