Matthew 6:6 says, "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly." Isn't Jesus telling us that our prayer should be private, only between God and the individual, where we can only fool ourselves and no one else?
2007-03-12 09:51:23 · 18 answers · asked by shachor 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You are right in saying that this is what God means in Matthew, but there is nothing wrong with saying a little prayer in your head before a big presentation or a test or something along those lines. God is warning against those who openly bow their head in places like work, simply in order to gain attention. If you say a public prayer, leave your eyes open, don't bow your head or fold your hands. Just think it in your head. In other words, God does not want others to think you are praying. Hopefully I gave some insight.
2007-03-12 09:57:25 · answer #1 · answered by Nathan G 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, if you read the entire passage, you will see that he was disgusted with people who only pray in public for and only so that other people can see them pray.
What Jesus is saying here is that public prayer should not be your only prayer but that you have your personal prayer for that is the most important prayer. He doesn't say that you shouldn't pray publicly. There are times and places where that is completely appropriate.
2007-03-12 10:01:30 · answer #2 · answered by rbarc 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the book of Acts there are many instances of public prayer- this passage in Matthew tells us not to be prideful in our public prayers- hypocritical praying- desiring to be heard by man more than God.
2007-03-12 10:59:45 · answer #3 · answered by AdoreHim 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it doesnt. Praying in your closet in private is one way God says to pray. There are others. He also wants us to be in fellowship and worship with each other, praying as one for the same goal and purpse and says there is power in numbers. amen.
Public prayer is not for others or ourselves, certainly not to fool or impress anyone. Public prayer is to be in unity with each other and God praying for the common good of the whole body. This is Biblical... Study and find out for yourself, as its so easy to be deceived ifyou only know parts of what God said.
2007-03-12 09:57:09 · answer #4 · answered by full gospel shirley 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is saying that don't pray to make others notice you and say you are good. If you are praying only for attention then you are doing it all for the wrong reasons.
If you are tempted to do this then pray in secret, but if you pray aloud with a sincere heart, then it does not make a difference where:
2007-03-12 09:56:32 · answer #5 · answered by Creationist 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Jesus meant the ones who pray to be seen, people pray to be seen, they'll use big words and act like they know God, and try to put on a scene for others, and not praying to God for whatever the need is.
2007-03-12 10:16:30 · answer #6 · answered by Nish 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not so much. As this woman said before me: some try to show off. Praying with a group of people is good. But you still need alone time with God. So some of the time you should be alone. God bless you for asking, brother of Christ! Bless you. Amen.
2007-03-12 10:00:58 · answer #7 · answered by wormwoodkid 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no longer allowing someone of any faith to desire in college is unconstitutional. you say that you cant exercising your faith for over a million/2 the time you're conscious. there is no longer some thing incorrect with voluntary prayer communities. Or after college prayer communities. Are you retaining that Muslims no longer with the flexibility to kneel all the way down to Mecca each hour is superb. It wouldnt be college sponsored. the present way is inaccurate. you're violating the liberties of human beings of religion. All faiths
2016-12-01 21:43:22 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Public prayer is not wrong, if don't in the right attitude of prayer. If you are saying words to sound good to man than that is wrong. However, if you are speaking to the Lord from the heart then that is OK.
2007-03-12 10:48:23 · answer #9 · answered by angel 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's spontaneous at times. Sometimes God uses prayer as a witness to those that are not believing.
For instance; If I lived in the times of the Inquiritions and I was about to be tortured for being a Protestant as they tended to do, I wouldn't care who saw or heard me. My voice would echo in the prison that they had me in. If possible, I would even sing to God, thereby torturing my torturers! lol
2007-03-12 10:04:09 · answer #10 · answered by Christian Sinner 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋