Matthew 6:5-6 makes it pretty clear what Jesus' thoughts on public and congregational prayer are. Yes, Paul said different, but this is just another example of Christians really being Paul's followers, and not all that interested in what Jesus had to say.
2007-09-30 00:56:35 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
For those are are not taking Jesus at his word, here it is: "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
He is talking about both congregational AND public prayer, and how you should pray: in "secret."
2007-09-30 01:36:27 · update #1
It is easier to get together and gossip about us lowly sinners if they congregate.
2007-09-30 01:00:23 · answer #1 · answered by dsrtrat 3 · 1⤊ 6⤋
Right, when you pray, you should pray it private, meaning not to do it to draw attention to yourself. Many Priests back then prayed in public and on the street to be looked upon as a prophet or as a good person, to show how religious they were, when in fact, they were not doing it for God, but for their own gain. They stood up in the synagauges and just repetatively prayed meaningless words for show. Remember, back then, Priests were very powerful even in regards to the law, they used the prayer as a way to intimidate followers into thinking that only they communicated with God and thus had rule. This is why Jesus called them hypocrites.
Also, pray in private is also meant that you should do it with complete focus on God. Church services are usually not preached today in a manner that threatens, rather, it is preached with love and the study of Gods word. You are there to hear God's word, thus your focus is on God and the prayer is okay. After all, Jesus did command that his followers go out a tell all the Nations the good news and make disciples of them
That is not to say that some churches, some preachers and some of the congergation does not put on a show, as unfortunately, they do, but that doesn't apply to every church, every preacher or every person.
Going to church is more about learning and hearing God's word. Yes, they do pray at the start and end of the service. Jesus preached (taught) to huge crowds Gods word. Jesus went to the synagogues himself as well. He read from the OT to those that were there. He taught in more specific language and in specific relation to what the word of God says and how his coming fulfills much of the OT prophecies and how it changes law as he would be the final sacrafice. That is why he said he came to fulfill the law, not abolish it.
2007-09-30 01:41:39 · answer #2 · answered by Gardener for God(dmd) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Where do you think St. Paul got his Doctrine? He received it from the Apostles, who in turn received it from Jesus Christ. There isn't any division between whayt Jesus taught and what St. Paul wrote. Church is for Worship and learning about the Biblical Principles. Prayer is to be a private affair between us and God. If we are doing our praying at church only, we have a weak prayer life.
2007-09-30 01:18:42 · answer #3 · answered by michael m 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Friend you need to know how to interpretate these scriptures, I seen that you must be one of those people that take what Jesus said over Paul, First let me explain these verses to you, Jesus was talking about these people that likes to pray to make a scene or to pray for the sole purpose of being heard by people, In other words they want to take the center stage & be notice, It does not come from the heart, There is nothing wrong with praying in public, My wife & I pray over our food when we go out to eat, But our prayers is low so we won't bother other people, Now that is what Jesus was talking about, now as you & many other try to make Christians a Paul follower, Well Paul taught exactly the samething Jesus taught, Paul even says follow him as he follows Christ. now read Acts 9:15, This proves that Paul was a chosen vessel for God. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way for he is a chosen vessel unto me-----------.
2007-09-30 01:11:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Why do the angels look into this matter? Because they wanna know, whatsa matter!! Seriously, wow you ask some tough questions. If you read verses 11-16, you find your answer. A woman's hair is sufficient to be that "cover." She need not cover her head with a scarf. Paul then clarifies with, "If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice, nor do the churches of God." Issue solved. Women can do whatever they want with their head cover, or lack thereof. Peace out.
2016-04-06 08:03:36 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus said not to make a show of praying in public so as to appear pious. He was referring to the Pharisees' tendency to put on a show. Church is not a public place. It is a gathering of believers.
Jesus said that believers were to gather together. Guess what church is? Yes, it is a group of believers gathering together.
2007-09-30 01:24:58 · answer #6 · answered by batgirl2good 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While I agree with the second part of your post regarding Paul having prominence with some Christians I think you are being too literal with the first part.
Jesus was against the false show of piety among the Pharisee`s and instructed His followers not to imitate them,He clearly was not refering to beilevers coming together in prayer and worship under the same roof, we see how it says that the believers were all in one place praying and making supplications to God when Jesus appeared among them and said,` Peace be with you`
2007-09-30 01:09:24 · answer #7 · answered by Sentinel 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Jesus never said don't pray in public.He said don't be like the hypocrites who LOVE TO BE NOTICED BY MEN. Apart from that there are many reasons why people go to church.
2007-09-30 01:20:20 · answer #8 · answered by oldguy63 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When he said not to pray in public he means not to show off and go aroung praying just for the sake of people seeing you pray
Christians go to church to celebrate the love of The Lord and to be together as they are all children of the lord.
2007-09-30 01:01:02 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 2⤋
I personally do not but that is because I am a spiritual Christian and that way has brought me closer to God than I ever imagined possible.
2007-09-30 01:01:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't know...
Did you know that Jesus also said for bald men not to walk around in public???
So why do you do it???
2007-09-30 01:04:20 · answer #11 · answered by Jihad Jill 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋