In that respect, the wide path population created the whole problem with prayer in school. And, gave those leftists lots of ammunition to work with. If they would have just done what Jesus taught, (pray in secret) we'd be looking at a different situation.
Is praying in public against a direct command from Jesus? Does this also include church and public meals?
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In that respect, the wide path population created the whole problem with prayer in school. And, gave those leftists lots of ammunition to work with. If they would have just done what Jesus taught, (pray in secret) we'd be looking at a different situation.
So praying in secret is not Scriptural?
You say that with authority. Contradicting what Jesus taught.
I know a lot of people have been bringing up "worth-ship." What does "shipping of worth" have to do with anything.
John 4:22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.
So, when Jesus said this, what was He "shipping of worth?"
Therefore, worship, to me, is sincere admiration and respect for the God of ALL things and our Father, His Christ and His Spirit.
Im passing along the correct linage and definition of worship, the shipping of worth.
Do with it as you will.
The suffix "ship" means state or condition. It doesn't move worth, it merely declares what exists.
Then what is being said here is that all communication is prayer in one form or another.
Entering his gates with Thanksgiving and praise.
Sing unto the lord a new song.
Acknowledge him in all your ways.
All prayer?
Then as I was slammed by my church for this......what about the dance?
Entering his gates with Thanksgiving and praise.
Sing unto the lord a new song.
Acknowledge him in all your ways.
All prayer?
Then as I was slammed by my church for this......what about the dance?
You watch out for babies too huh....
Yes, I try to. We can have lots of ideas here and that's fine. But we must be careful we don't say something the Word isn't saying. I hope there are more than just you and I.
I think it’s situational at times jesus prayed aloud
“Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.”
John 11:41-44 KJV
Other times he went off alone to pray
“And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.”
Luke 5:16 KJV
If we look at Jesus teachings we can sometimes see the issue he’s adressing usually directly involving the state of the heart of the person
“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”
Matthew 6:1-2, 5 KJV
My opinion is that God is always looking at the inner things . If I’m praying in public in order to seem holier than thou or Impress people or somehow improve my image I’m in the wrong not because I spoke in public but because of my motivations in doing so . Same with many things I give to charity but if I announce to everyone how much i give and how I’m so good and helping people then I’m in the wrong because of the motives I’m pursuing
when we are alone with God it’s some of the most intimate and fruitful time we can spend but there are times when prayer is urgently needed and may even change a persons view of the lord
Just an old man’s opinion but I think the place to look at ourselves is in the heart and mind to assure that our motives are pure that’s what he cares about
But if Jesus meant that it was wrong for a Christian to pray in the company of other Christians, many Christians in the New Testament must have disobeyed. For example:
NKJV Act 1:13 And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James.
Act 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
NKJV Act 16:13 And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there.
NKJV Act 12:12 So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying.
NKJV Act 16:25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
NKJV Act 1:24 And they prayed and said, "You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen
Act 1:25 to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place."
I am sure if I spent longer at it, I could find more examples of Christians praying together. The context of Jesus speaking of praying in private was His teaching against the ostentation that Pharisees engaged in when they prayed in public places for the whole purpose of other people seeing them and praising them for it. He was not forbidding His followers from praying together.
I'm asking is it possible to pray publicly (Before a meal at a restaurant, as a street preacher, for someone) and it not be a pharisaical practice?
these were praying in private and not in public, do we agree? these were the early church, nothing wrong there. but a bunch of people in a public space praying aloud is another story.
Is it possible for us to pray in public and not be 'fake?'
Yes and it can be a witness to others. Judge your own motives, and be guided by your trust in Christ and your love for the saints.