Is praying in public against a direct command from Jesus? Does this also include church and public meals?

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Drich said:
I ask this because our pastor likes to hold these big long prayer meeting where he 'aggressively encourages' people to pray publicly after the sermon. This last Wednesday he and one of the older members bumped heads about the pastors use of an outline which was established by the Lord's prayer in mat 6 and luke 11.

The arguments centers around the Pastor's want to justify praying publicly using this outline, while the older member pointed out that in mat 6 Not only is the out line given, but we also have a directive that publicly praying in a place of worship, or in public is wrong. Jesus directly says that the people who pray loudly in the synagogues and street corners Do Not get a response from God. That the adoration of their fellow men who see what they are doing and makes them think they are 'holy' for their prayer is all the reward they will get.

Mat 6: 5“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites. They love to stand in the synagogues and on the street corners and pray loudly. They want people to see them. The truth is, that’s all the reward they will get. 6;But when you pray, you should go into your room and close the door. Then pray to your Father. He is there in that private place. He can see what is done in private, and he will reward you.

2/3s of this chapter talks about do not do your works or praise in the sight of others. So it follows that praying for meals in public, (at least at the table infront of others) and public prayers in church is heavily frowned upon/will not be heard by God. According to Jesus and His teachings found in mat 6.

What say you?
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where is the prayer meeting held at ? Because praying in church is not praying in public. its the body coming collectively together.

Matthew 6 is speaking of those who are praying to in public to look holy. Those have their reward. Community prayer in public is biblical. Evangelism prays in pubic, Missionaries pray in public. Calling for prayer by leaders of nations is seen in the word of God . AND God endorsed it.
 
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CS1 said:
where is the prayer meeting held at ? Because praying in church is not praying in public. its the body coming collectively together.

Matthew 6 is speaking of those who are praying to in public to look holy. Those have their reward. Community prayer in public is biblical. Evangelism prays in pubic, Missionaries pray in public. Calling for prayer by leaders of nations is seen in the word of God . AND God endorsed it.
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There are laws in the spiritual world as real as laws is in natural. "I think" openly praying in front of someone else is breaking one of those laws in the spirit. If your prayer is heard by someone other than God, it's null and void.

I never tell someone I've been or will pray for them. I say im thinking about you. Maybe that person makes the connection or not. It's vitally important it's done in secret.
 
Watchman22 said:
There are laws in the spiritual world as real as laws is in natural. "I think" openly praying in front of someone else is breaking one of those laws in the spirit. If your prayer is heard by someone other than God, it's null and void.

I never tell someone I've been or will pray for them. I say im thinking about you. Maybe that person makes the connection or not. It's vitally important it's done in secret.
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Not truth. Jesus prayed publicly. he said don't pray as the hypocrites do for they love to be seen praying. The motivation as why they prayed was the problem. Jesus prayed for people in public and so did the Apostles.
I'm thinking about you ? what good is your thinking about them when we can come boldly to the throne room of Grace to receive mercy in our time of Need. There is many types of prayers. interceding, supplication, private and corporate.
 
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Drich said:
I ask this because our pastor likes to hold these big long prayer meeting where he 'aggressively encourages' people to pray publicly after the sermon. This last Wednesday he and one of the older members bumped heads about the pastors use of an outline which was established by the Lord's prayer in mat 6 and luke 11.

The arguments centers around the Pastor's want to justify praying publicly using this outline, while the older member pointed out that in mat 6 Not only is the out line given, but we also have a directive that publicly praying in a place of worship, or in public is wrong. Jesus directly says that the people who pray loudly in the synagogues and street corners Do Not get a response from God. That the adoration of their fellow men who see what they are doing and makes them think they are 'holy' for their prayer is all the reward they will get.

Mat 6: 5“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites. They love to stand in the synagogues and on the street corners and pray loudly. They want people to see them. The truth is, that’s all the reward they will get. 6;But when you pray, you should go into your room and close the door. Then pray to your Father. He is there in that private place. He can see what is done in private, and he will reward you.

2/3s of this chapter talks about do not do your works or praise in the sight of others. So it follows that praying for meals in public, (at least at the table infront of others) and public prayers in church is heavily frowned upon/will not be heard by God. According to Jesus and His teachings found in mat 6.

What say you?
Click to expand...
The issue for Jesus was the Pharisaical practice of praying in public and their reason for doing so. These men were showing off; they were play-acting like righteous men, attempting to gain approval from each other and praise from the crowds. He taught his disciples to seek approval from God alone and if we are attempting to show-boat before a crowd to build ourselves up, then to stop doing that.

That having been said, public prayer, done for the right reasons, can edify others. Jesus did it. He prayed to the Father, for instance, when he raised Lazarus from the dead. This showed people that he and the Father were working together.

A teacher or a minister might pray publicly to teach the congregation what is important and how to pray. These are pedagogical prayers, meant to educate the congregation. Paul's epistles are filled with prayers meant to express his heart and to inform his readers what he considers important: faith, good works, and concern for others.

Bottom line: why does someone pray publicly- to edify oneself or to edify others? To boast or to teach?
 
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CS1 said:
Not truth. Jesus prayed publicly. he said don't pray as the hypocrites do for they love to be seen praying. The motivation as why they prayed was the problem. Jesus prayed for people in public and so did the Apostles.
I'm thinking about you ? what good is your thinking about them when we can come boldly to the throne room of Grace to receive mercy in our time of Need. There is many types of prayers. interceding, supplication, private and corporate.
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I think you just proved my point.
 
CS1 said:
Not truth. Jesus prayed publicly. he said don't pray as the hypocrites do for they love to be seen praying. The motivation as why they prayed was the problem. Jesus prayed for people in public and so did the Apostles.
I'm thinking about you ? what good is your thinking about them when we can come boldly to the throne room of Grace to receive mercy in our time of Need. There is many types of prayers. interceding, supplication, private and corporate.
Click to expand...

Without digging into it, there is probably a difference between the way we are told to pray, and the way Jesus prayed.
 
Drich said:
I ask this because our pastor likes to hold these big long prayer meeting where he 'aggressively encourages' people to pray publicly after the sermon. This last Wednesday he and one of the older members bumped heads about the pastors use of an outline which was established by the Lord's prayer in mat 6 and luke 11.

The arguments centers around the Pastor's want to justify praying publicly using this outline, while the older member pointed out that in mat 6 Not only is the out line given, but we also have a directive that publicly praying in a place of worship, or in public is wrong. Jesus directly says that the people who pray loudly in the synagogues and street corners Do Not get a response from God. That the adoration of their fellow men who see what they are doing and makes them think they are 'holy' for their prayer is all the reward they will get.

Mat 6: 5“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites. They love to stand in the synagogues and on the street corners and pray loudly. They want people to see them. The truth is, that’s all the reward they will get. 6;But when you pray, you should go into your room and close the door. Then pray to your Father. He is there in that private place. He can see what is done in private, and he will reward you.

2/3s of this chapter talks about do not do your works or praise in the sight of others. So it follows that praying for meals in public, (at least at the table infront of others) and public prayers in church is heavily frowned upon/will not be heard by God. According to Jesus and His teachings found in mat 6.

What say you?
Click to expand...
My understanding is
Jesus not against praying in public, but against fake praying in public.
 
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Lanolin said:
I never really got the praying in restaurants

It always made me uncomfortable esp when people prayed for too long and the food got cold.

A short blessing/benediction should suffice.
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Rofl sorry that got me. I know people like that. By the time you stick your fork in the potatoes they're ice cold.
 
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Drich said:
just know your pray will go no further than your voice will carry it.
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No, that's not right. It's the attitude of your prayer. I pray in public with people when they ask for prayer. People have street ministries, they have prayer. I've done outdoor concerts and we have prayer. Nothing wrong with prayer in a public place if you're doing it with the right heart and attitude.
 
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Watchman22 said:
There are laws in the spiritual world as real as laws is in natural. "I think" openly praying in front of someone else is breaking one of those laws in the spirit. If your prayer is heard by someone other than God, it's null and void.
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Are you saying God can't hear you if someone is in the room? No, just no.



Watchman22 said:
I never tell someone I've been or will pray for them. I say im thinking about you. Maybe that person makes the connection or not. It's vitally important it's done in secret.
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No, you're misunderstanding Scripture. No reason you can't pray for a brother in need.
 
ThereRoseaLamb said:
No, that's not right. It's the attitude of your prayer. I pray in public with people when they ask for prayer. People have street ministries, they have prayer. I've done outdoor concerts and we have prayer. Nothing wrong with prayer in a public place if you're doing it with the right heart and attitude.
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Public prayer may have some value that you wouldn't think. Just not what you are expecting.
 

ThereRoseaLamb said:
Are you saying God can't hear you if someone is in the room? No, just no.
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Again, were dealing with laws of the spiritual realm. When Christ said pray in secret, i would take it just as it was said, with no exceptions.

Every scenario is an opportunity to be done correctly, if done in secret.
ThereRoseaLamb said:
No, you're misunderstanding Scripture. No reason you can't pray for a brother in need.
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