Thursday, November 01, 2012
Prayer is Not a Public Speaking Device
I have grown up in the church and I'd like to share a practice I've never felt comfortable with. Prayer as a public speaking device. I'd like to get others opinions here, is there something I've been missing all these years?
Every time I hear a sermon or a lesson or a bible study there will likely be a time of public prayer. Everyone bows their heads and closes their eyes and one person talks. The person who talks sounds a lot more like they did when they were just talking to the room full of people than I do when I pray by myself in a quiet place. I also don't see a lot of public prayer in the Bible. Instead I see Jesus withdrawing to a lonely place to pray, or going to a mountain to pray.
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
In Matthew this passage immediately precedes the 15 second Lord's Prayer. I have heard the Lord's prayer done publicly many times over the years and every time I wonder if people have read the passage and are just being ironic.
I think it is time to end fake prayer and bring back real prayer. Go withdraw to a mountain, or to your room and close the door. Ask God for guidance, for help with your very specific and very real problems. Thank him for the blessings you have. Just make it real.
Every time I hear a sermon or a lesson or a bible study there will likely be a time of public prayer. Everyone bows their heads and closes their eyes and one person talks. The person who talks sounds a lot more like they did when they were just talking to the room full of people than I do when I pray by myself in a quiet place. I also don't see a lot of public prayer in the Bible. Instead I see Jesus withdrawing to a lonely place to pray, or going to a mountain to pray.
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
In Matthew this passage immediately precedes the 15 second Lord's Prayer. I have heard the Lord's prayer done publicly many times over the years and every time I wonder if people have read the passage and are just being ironic.
I think it is time to end fake prayer and bring back real prayer. Go withdraw to a mountain, or to your room and close the door. Ask God for guidance, for help with your very specific and very real problems. Thank him for the blessings you have. Just make it real.
