Matthew 6: 5-6
5And 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. 6But 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. (KJV)
2007-12-26 05:54:50 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You are correct. The Bible does say that one should pray in private.
The Phairasees of the time prayed publicly and for the wrong reasons, thus "...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.". Therefore, private prayer was encouraged, because private prayer would have the tendency to be more genuine, and more personal than public prayer.
However, if your prayer is genuine, and not for public recognition, then it does not matter where or when you pray.
- IK
2007-12-26 06:07:13 · answer #1 · answered by Isaac K 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As long as people aren't talking excessively loud when they pray and making people stare at them, I believe it's totally acceptable to pray in public restaurants. I think if someone has a problem with praying in public, it shows that they may be ashamed of their faith! People can yell obsenities out wherever they are and no one even blinks but if you pray theres something wrong with you. What gives?
2007-12-26 14:10:14 · answer #2 · answered by karen m 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
You show who you are by what you do.
Gods' people should be a praying people.
2007-12-26 14:00:55 · answer #3 · answered by preacher 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you pray to impress others, then you are one of the hypocrites. If you pray to honor God and ask Him to bless you, then it's OK. That's the meaning IMO.
2007-12-26 14:00:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anna P 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When you are out and need to pray just don't be noticeable to those around you. So your prayer will be silent and just between the you and God.
2007-12-26 14:07:54 · answer #5 · answered by geessewereabove 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I pray before I eat, and I don't eat in the closet.
I think it means to not pray for others to think you are a holy person and to pray for the purpose of God.
2007-12-26 13:57:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I pray in the food court. I pray to give thanks and to be sure the food is not bad.
2007-12-26 14:01:22 · answer #7 · answered by Rev. Kaldea 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as your prayers are sincere to God and not sincere in impressing others!
2007-12-26 14:01:43 · answer #8 · answered by Aneres 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah, honey, that bit about the hypocrites always bites us in the ***, don't she?
The Bible also says 'pray constantly' and 'give thanks always', and so on.
2007-12-26 14:12:34 · answer #9 · answered by Tanitha B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋