What about His teaching us The Lord's Prayer? Most of us Christians repeat that prayer, don't we?
2007-06-12 10:12:44 · 29 answers · asked by Faustina 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The actual word used is not "repeat" it is "multiply."
The original scripture says Do Not Babble.
In the early times of Protestant reformation, some translations, such as Martin Luther's specifically changed the word babble to repeat. He and others like him specifically did this to refute the rosary. Which was already very popular.
The funny part about that is - today many Protestants will "babble" on for half an hour. How many times do they "repeat" -And I just, And I just ask you for, And I just hope you will, And I claim this for myself. It's the Pentecostal "glossolalia." Glossolalia means babbling. And they tend to be the ones most hard on us Catholics for our rosaries.
Pot. Kettle. You choose.
Many current non-Catholic translations of the bible, such as the NIV, use "babble" since they strive to be scripturally correct and not specifically anti-Catholic.
Here's a test. Go to bible gateway.
http://www.biblegateway.com
Plug in matthew 6:7
Check as many versions of the bible as you wish. Please note that anything with "standard" in the title: American Standard Version and English Standard Version are adaptations of the King James and NOT new translations unto themselves.
Also the Douay Rheims:
http://www.drbo.org/
and New American Bible:
http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/
If we are to pray without ceasing as Jesus tells us to in Luke 18:1 and Paul repeats in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 there's bound to be quite a bit of repetition.
2007-06-12 12:51:06 · answer #1 · answered by Max Marie, OFS 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Jesus taught us the Lord's prayer, but He did not say to repeat it over and over. By which, I mean on the same occasion. Whenever I have a need for prayer, this is a good way to begin. But repeating ten times or 100 times probably has no more effect than once, except God may tire of someone who can't speak about the thanks they feel or the need they want to express.
I can think of one time repeated prayers benefit US, not God. Buddhists repeat prayers to condition themselves to always be mindful of God and the divine nature we are striving for. In this way, I can see some small benefit. A more useful way would be to do good work as we strive to be better people.
2007-06-13 11:40:18 · answer #2 · answered by Owl Eye 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ritual type prayers are designated for particular days or times, they are not really the same as personal private prayers that are spiritually between a person and God. That'd be just as silly as saying a church service Easter prayer when what you really wanna do is ask God to watch over so-and-so in their time of need.
We are talking about two different sources, in one Gospel Jesus emphasized no repetitive prayers with the concept that God knows what you are going to ask for before you even ask it. While the Lord's Prayer was a Apostlistic add-on for the early church system that kept going till modern day.
2007-06-12 17:35:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
He said not not to pray "vain and repetitive prayers, as if the number of words said will make them more pleasing to God". He then gave us the Model Prayer, known to us today as the Lord's Prayer, in response to the question "Teacher, how then should we pray?"
A wonderful and beautiful prayer - given to us by God Himself.
I don't have time right now to go through it line by line to explain it because I have to leave for work now. Will do that later.....
2007-06-12 23:49:34 · answer #4 · answered by the phantom 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes Jesus did say not to say repetitive prayers and he did give us the Lords Prayer. However, the Lord's Prayer is a guideline to what we should be praying about. This doesnt mean we have to repeat ourselves everynight. But there are specific things we should regularly pray about; so, he gave us the Lords Prayer as an example to follow. So He did not contradict himself.
2007-06-12 17:19:28 · answer #5 · answered by annie 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
i dont no if most do or not...but i do no that the lords prayer was what he taught to his followers when they asked him how we should pray...but you should pray for what is on your heart and for life issue's you may be going through or need help in.. now if u say that prayer and thats all u pray and u do that a lot of times and then thats repetitive...however i think that u can say that prayer and add onto it things that u also want to pray..that way it doesnt become repetitive...
2007-06-12 17:29:09 · answer #6 · answered by the voice of truth 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think a lot of children are taught that prayer. I personally don't repeat the prayer. I pray whats in my heart..give thanks for daily life and things that I am thankful for..I also pray my worries and concerns to God and then leave them there..as the bible says to do. He lifts our burdens for us..We must trust in him and its a wonderful gift I think.
2007-06-12 18:28:08 · answer #7 · answered by lynne44 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What Jesus said was no vain repetitions. He also said that as a child may ask many times for something, that a Christian should pray often.
2007-06-12 17:16:41 · answer #8 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Many Christians don't say The Lord's Prayer repeatedly. To say The Lord's Prayer once is enough. The Lord hears us the first time. Any prayer that is repeatedly said is completely unnecessary. I reiterate, He hears us the first time.
2007-06-12 17:27:03 · answer #9 · answered by angelcat 6 · 1⤊ 4⤋
I use the Lord's prayer as a template, not something to recite
you have to acknowledge who God is, confess what you've done, request, make sure you know God's will is above your own, thank Him, worship Him, know that God is faithful and be unselfish -- The Lord's Prayer
2007-06-12 17:19:13 · answer #10 · answered by Hey, Ray 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋