Why do people make a big show of praying?

Question

Some people make a big show of praying. It's like, everybody has to know that they're praying. Why is that?

Answer 1

sometimes it is show off to show to other people that they are religious and therefore trustworthy. Sometimes it is to esnure to themselves that they are still living in a tolerant world.

Answer 2

It's a pretense most of the time. Read what Jesus says at when he was trying to teach us how to pray:

Matthew 6: 5-7

Also, when YOU pray, YOU must not be as the hypocrites; because they like to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the broad ways to be visible to men.

Truly I say to YOU, They are having their reward in full. You, however, when you pray, go into your private room and, after shutting your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; then your Father who looks on in secret will repay you.

But when praying, do not say the same things over and over again, just as the people of the nations do, for they imagine they will get a hearing for their use of many words.

So, do not make yourselves like them, for God YOUR Father knows what things YOU are needing before ever YOU ask him.

Answer 3

Because they want people to see how religious they are. Jesus said to observe the people that pray in public. That is all the reward they will ever have. It is better to pray sincerely and privately.
That said, there is a time and a place to pray publicly but it is not to make a show but to enlist fellow believers to join in your prayer.

Answer 4

Do you mean like at church, or in public? You're supposed to pray in church. People pray in public too, if the Spirit compels them. I know that some people pray to show off, but saying that every person that prays in public is doing it only for show is like saying that every atheist is a homosexual abortionist evolutionist. It's just not fair to try to pigeonhole an entire group of people.

Answer 5

Matthew 5:5+says And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you they have their reward.(meaning man will look at them and maybe even glorify them. This is only temporary here on earth.) 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. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.


It's perfectly fine to pray in church as a group or to pray in someone's home as a group. Jesus however, warns about praying in public, such as to make noise and draw everyone's attention to you and to be seen by all and praised for praying. If that is kept up, it can be dangerous to the degree that one only does things to be honored by people.

Answer 6

We are not to make a "big show" of prayer. Whats the reason for the prayer? are they praying for someone who asked for prayer?, or are you disturbed by someone not afraid to prayer out loud over their meal? I've not seen to many prayer demonstrations on a street corner or in grocery stores. (actually never seen any in inappropriate places.) maybe I've just been blessed. (I don't believe in luck) Or could be I'm just not offended by a demonstration of faith in God. It may be they were making a show, or could be they wanted to be heard so as not to be interrupted. All depends on the circumstances, where it took place, the reason for it. Prayer is a personal thing and the style is reflective of the person.

Answer 7

That is a good question. People, Christian or not, tend to show off their beliefs sometimes.The Bible actually says not to pray in a way that every one notices it in Matthew 5. I think Christians tend to want to show off how "spiritual" they are to other Christians by praying very obviously a lot.

Answer 8

Ritualistic uniformity.
It shows that they belong to a certain cult.

For instance, I could say that "God Knows Everything." With that, all is explained from why reality is the way that it is to why God doesn't need a Jesus, to why I would bang my head on the floor, and to explain why there are death and taxes.
But you wouldn't have much to show off that you belong within my religious philosophy, nor would you be able to be rooked out of your land and finances (the root causes of all wars and the base for all power).
Sooooooo, I have to add a whole bunch of B.S. to create, expand, and support a beauracracy that supports me.
Get it?

Answer 9

Some people get carried away while praying, others just want to be the center of attention and others just follow.

Answer 10

Because they are being like the Pharisees. And doing it to show how "holy" they are. Jesus told us to not pray on the street corner but to go into our closet to pray. We aren't to show off but pray sincerely.

Answer 11

It's not Biblical. We are supposed to pray away from people. Not make a show about it. People who do that have to let everyone know that htey are a 'Christian' because if they didn't do things like that no one would know ( they obviously don't live the life). It's sad, but I suppose any attention is better than none at all.