Tongsung Kido

Definition and Meaning

Tongsung kido means "prayer offered aloud" (通聲, "voicing aloud"). People gathered for worship or a prayer meeting pray aloud simultaneously, each in his or her own words rather than following a fixed text. It is distinguished from representative prayer, in which one person prays on behalf of the congregation, and from silent meditative prayer offered inwardly. Often a leader announces a prayer topic and the congregation then prays together; intercessory prayer on behalf of others frequently takes place at the same time.

Biblical and Historical Background

Those who practice tongsung kido point to scriptural scenes in which people prayed together with raised voices. Frequently cited passages include Acts 4:24, where the Jerusalem church "lifted up their voice to God with one accord," and Jeremiah 33:3, "Call unto me."

In the Korean church, this form of prayer is understood to have spread widely along with the Great Pyongyang Revival. Records describe how, in January 1907, during a sagyeonghoe (a Bible study conference) at Jangdaehyun Church in Pyongyang, the congregation prayed aloud all at once while confessing their sins. Missionaries who witnessed the meetings also recorded the scene. Thereafter, tongsung kido came to be regarded as something of a symbol of the revival movement and spread across many denominations.

Practice in the Korean Church

Tongsung kido is practiced mainly at early morning prayer meetings, Friday prayer meetings, Wednesday services, revival meetings, and retreats. It is common for churches to begin the prayer with the so-called juyeo samchang, in which the congregation cries out "Lord!" (Juyeo) three times in unison. As the prayer draws to a close, the leader either concludes it or signals the end through the accompanying music.

The extent of its use varies by denomination:

• Presbyterian, Methodist, and Holiness churches use tongsung kido more often at prayer meetings and revival meetings than in regular worship services.
• In churches of the Pentecostal tradition, such as the Full Gospel churches, tongsung kido is especially vigorous and is sometimes accompanied by prayer in tongues.
• It is relatively rare in liturgical churches that emphasize a set order of service and written prayers, such as the Anglican Church of Korea and the Lutheran Church in Korea.

Assessments of the practice are mixed. Supporters hold that tongsung kido expresses earnestness and fosters a sense of unity as the community prays together. Critics raise concerns about noise and formalism, citing passages such as 1 Corinthians 14:40, "Let all things be done decently and in order," and Matthew 6:6, which commends prayer in one's closet. In recent years, some churches have adjusted the timing and volume of prayer in consideration of noise complaints from nearby residents.