THEISTS - Could you please read my question about formal prayer?

Question

Please read this question and give your reply:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070912151340AASOaiB&r=w

Esther, you are correct, God already knows what we will pray for, even before we're born. He knows this since before time itself. This is why I ask those who specifically formal prayer, why oppose it? It's a personal prayer between one's self and God. Who are we to judge such a prayer? For those who oppose formal prayer, I'd like to know the reason/s why.

bobalo9 - Formal prayer is done both publicly and privately. Whether it's done in public or in private is not the issue, it's the that's the issue. What say you about a sincere formal prayer in private? What about a sincere formal prayer in public? I don't mean when a person gets up on a soapbox, making a spectacle of themselves, no. I mean when, for example, people gather and say the Lord's Prayer in unison. Who is to say that these people are sincere or not? No one can judge except for God.

That being the case, why do we still see people who actually formal prayer in of its forms? Some people have even said in R&S that formal prayer is, and I quote: "bs."

BS? Says who? Only God can judge a prayer, formal or informal, public or private.

Doyle, regarding Matthew 6:5
This talks about people, showing off their piety by making sure they are seen and heard while praying. However, it mentions nothing about whether these prayers are formal or informal.

Matthew 6:6, 6:7-8
We are not to make a spectacle of ourselves praying. We are to pray in private. Again, though, this said nothing about whether the prayers should be formal or informal.

A boastful person can pray in public, making him/herself look pious, and be saying either formal or prayers.

Boastfulness isn't the point of my question. I ask how can anyone judge another's prayer when it's a formal one? Only God can judge the heart, only He can judge prayers. No one else has this capacity. Therefore, no one else has the right to judge formal prayers. THAT was my point.

Answer 1

Begging for answers won't help.

Answer 2

There are many ways to experience prayer; for example even in silence . Haven't you ever been to a Friends meeting for worship? no words are needed only relfextion and then if the spirit moves one you may standand and speak.. I find this method of prayer works best for me and i speak out and enjoy my freedoms and all types of music everywhere else... it is afterall the grand and old glorious tradition of American which made us great and from whence the concept of the town meeting comes from. I also love that no protocal is necessary as people organize themselves and if there is alot to be said do so civily and by ceding to the next speaker as one is finished speaking there peace.

Answer 3

God does not look for elegance, He looks for sincerity of Heart and Mind with humbleness.
Elegant formal Prayer is for Public display, And I am not knocking that ether.

Answer 4

Matthew 6:5
When thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues ( churches) and in the corners of the street that they may be seen of men.Verily I say unto you, they have their reward
Matthew 6:6 and Matt: 6:7-8
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, And when thou has shut the door, pray unto the Father which is in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Answer 5

Reading your question I am reminded of the documentary "Iwo Jima 36 Days of Hell" where a, before Iwo Jima atheist" talking about having his first and second serious talk with God.
I was also reminded about our freedom of speech and freedom of religion to worship in what ever church we chose without the state interfering.
I was also reminded about Nazi Germany came to power by surpressing religion.
Atheist are a small vocal minority along the same irk as the Nazi party in Germany who wish to surpress everyone's freedom's but their's and force the rest of the country to conform to their beliefs there by eliminating freedom of speeck and freedom of religion.
As far as I am concerned they are as dangerous to this country as the Isalmic terrorist if not more so.

Answer 6

I dont get it. I cant. My brain is too small. I can only follow my heart. If formal prayer connects me to the trancendent. then that ok.

Answer 7

It is through Jesus Christ alone that we may come before the throne of God to obtain mercy. And God doesn't care what words we use; He sees our needs before we even speak them.

Answer 8

done