Question concerning Matthew 6:5-15?

Question

Here are the first 3 verses in question:

5 “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. 6 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. 7 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.

Of course, Jesus goes on to give us the model prayer after this. So with that said, do you believe that prayer is a command of God?

As a Christian, I consider it more of a priviledge than a command to be able to speak directly to my Creator who saved me with His blood.

Notice what Jesus said though 3 times: "But WHEN you pray...."

He didn't say "If"....He said "When"

Your thoughts fellow Christians

Sorry pugwash but....
Christ was God wrapped in flesh. Read John 8:58....Jesus called Himself "I Am"

This is not a Deity of Christ debate....this is a prayer question. I'm sorry that you are a JW.....I pray that you would see the light and get out of that cult

Answer 1

Primo, That is True...I don't think so much a command as an expectation....He said WHEN...knowing we would pray...

I've been accused of praying publicly here in this forum but it is done so people KNOW I'm praying not just saying I'll pray (and then walk away from the computer and forget) and isn't in order for people to say....hey look at her prayer....(or even to get best answer for praying on-line.) I think that part of the verse is specific for people who pray to be noticed....Most of the time I pray in the car when I'm driving.(and only God hears me)..And the Lord brings to mind people and things to pray for.

Yes it is a wonderful honor that the Lord of all Lords is willing not just to listen to our prayers but if we listen, He will answer us as well so it's a two way conversation...not just a prayer list, God I need this....The Apostle Paul said, to the Ephesians in Chapter 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. and in his first letter to the Thessalonian church...1Th 5:17 pray continually.

So prayer isn't just something we do it is a way of constant 24/7 life.

Answer 2

I too like Jan have been accused of praying out loud for show. However the Bible says that when two or more of you agree, it would be done! I try to pray so that others will agree with me in prayer and that the person requesting prayer is comforted that I am really praying for them. I do not care to pray for the show. I am praying from my heart for this person! God, who knows the heart and sees all motivations can judge whether the person requesting prayer is praying for "show" or not! I have a running dialog with the Lord each day and enjoy my communication with God through Christ! Most of the time I get a thumbs down from the atheists for praying for people, but I will not let that stop me because we need to show the love of Christ by being willing at all times to offer up prayer for others!
I consider that I am not standing on the street corners like the hypocrites of Jesus day since I do not give out my identity and no one really knows who you are on this site. When Christians come together and lift their voices in prayer, it is an awesome thing! I do not think the community of Christians here on yahoo have any bad motives like being considered righteous by men. Most of the time they are attacked for being Christian as it is not very popular these days to declare that Jesus is Lord,and to tell others you will pray for them is often taken as an insult!

Answer 3

Prayer is fellowship with the Father- a vital, personal contact with Him. We are to be in constant contact with Him.

1Peter 3:12
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their prayers;
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.

Jesus taught that we find the essence of prayer not in public but in private communication with God. Private prayer enables us to pour out our hearts to God, express our true feelings, and listen for God's still small voice.
It's an honor to be a child of the Most High, Holy, Majestic God!

John 14:6
6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Answer 4

Heartfelt prayer is the most important thing. It is our opportunity to talk to God, through Jesus, on a personal basis. Here Jesus was explaining prayers not pleasing to God.

The pompous prayer. Written down for show. See how holy I am! He goes on in the following verses to show how not to conduct our good works.

The clergy of that day, like now, go to great lengths to assure everyone knows they feed the poor, clothe them, while making sure their names are spelled right on camera. He said keep your mouth shut and do good works in secret as God would see you just fine.

Another thought is he gave the priorities in the model prayer. Not that it should be repeated endlessly, but first for God's name to be made known, then His kingdom government, then what we need at a lower priority.

Answer 5

i do believe prayer is a command of God.

Concerning this verse, there have been some who have tried to use it to make a case against praying in public; I believe Jesus was speaking about one type of prayer here, private prayer; and that public prayer is ok as well too, since we also have examples of Christians praying together in public in places such as Acts 1:13, 14 & Acts 12:5.

Answer 6

My thoughts on that is that you pray to him in the privacy of your own priesthood (as we are all believer priests) and not to pray just to be seen praying by others, and not to pray repititiously as some religions do ... sounding like stepford people ... but to pray and to have a privacy/personal prayers just you and God the father....

I believe it is a command, yes. I consider it priveledge as well.

I also believe that I have been rewarded in prayer many times and that is an awesome thing and proof in my life!

Answer 7

Prayer is a privilege and a command.
Prayer is a form of serving God (Luke 2:36-38). We pray because God commands us to pray (Philippians 4:6-7).

A lack of prayer demonstrates the a lack of faith and a lack of trust in God’s Word. We pray to demonstrate our faith in God, that He will do as He has promised in His Word, and will bless our lives abundantly more than we could ask or hope for (Ephesians 3:20). Prayer is our primary means of seeing God work in others' lives. Because it is our means of "plugging into" God's power, it is our means of defeating a foe and his army (Satan and his army) that we are powerless to overcome by ourselves. Therefore, may God find us often before His throne, for we have a High Priest in heaven who can identify with all that we go through (Hebrews 4:15-16). We have His promise that the fervent prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much (James 5:16-18). May God glorify His name in our lives as we believe in Him enough to come to Him often in prayer.

Recommended Resource: Prayer, The Great Adventure by David Jeremiah.

Answer 8

Yes "When" you pray-- we must pray!! God calls us to pray, not only does He want our requests and praises but this also draws us near to Him, and gives us that personal time with Him that we need each day! Strengthens our walk with Him.

We should always be sincere when we pray-- and always give thanks to God-- remembering to praise Him for the things He has done and continues to do. And yes it is a priveledge!!! He hears our every word and to know that He does hear our words, is just an aboslute blessing...it does not matter what we say- He knows our hearts and knows we truly want His will and way. We can pray anytime anywhere-- but we must always be sincere and reverant. Not attracting attention to ourselves. It is always good to pray in your room, in the quiet. And to pray in groups with other believers as well.
1 Peter 3:12
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
Ok my babbling is done!! hehe.

Answer 9

You can pray any time you want. That prayer called the Lord's Prayer is used at a Catholic mass evertime mass is said near Communion, watch EWTN sometime and you will hear that same prayer sung in Latin. It is prayer that helps cope with the troubled days in our lives. In this passage, Jesus is just giving a example of how to pray. There are several other prayers that can be said, most of them are said during rosary.

Answer 10

I believe the passages are directed toward organized churches. You'll notice that Jesus never asked that a temple or church be built for him. Unlike the Old Testament Gods and Pagan of the time.
Jesus says God is within each of us, we meet him there.
Prayer is talking to God, Meditation is listening. Both are important...in fact I'd say the listening is more important.