I taught 10 year Olds with my wife for 10 years at my old chcurch. At the end we would have prayer requests. One time a girl whose family was there ever time the doors were open raised her hand and said....."Today is my birthday and I pray that I get lots of presents". I just hung my head and then looked at my wife.

 

We have talked about Prayers for several lessons and always talked about how to pray. I said..."Lets pray that you have a nice time and give thanks for the people who love you."

I look to Matthew on prayer...Matt. 6:5-13

 

5"And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

7"And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:

"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12and forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

 

Always had a problem with the Scripture and when I have been asked to pray outloud during services.

 

On the 2nd bolded, some do this by throwingin all these glories, and hallejahs,etc, etc, etc.

 

So are the big prayers at Churches necessary?

Always had a problem with the Scripture and when I have been asked to pray outloud during services.

 

On the 2nd bolded, some do this by throwingin all these glories, and hallejahs,etc, etc, etc.

 

So are the big prayers at Churches necessary?

 

 

The key is "empty phrases". Big prayers are fine, if from the heart and leading us all to the presence of God. :thumb:

The key is "empty phrases". Big prayers are fine, if from the heart and leading us all to the presence of God. :thumb:

 

But what about Scripture 6?

 

6But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Jesus talks about the method of prayer...why one prays determines how someone prays. Don't pray for show or to be seen, but leading one through a group or worship would be fine. I prayed before a church basketball game and we have had some problems with guys getting mad and so forth so in my prayer I asked God to "watch over our temperatures", I got done and everyone laughed at my mistake, and we had a great game. Did the Holy Spirit cause the mistake and put everyone at ease with the mistake?

But what about Scripture 6?

 

6But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

 

I've thought alot about that scripture as well. The point that I believe that was being made-its important to spend time alone talking/praying to God. Example: when you want to get to know someone would you do it as a group or on a one on one basis? Jesus was giving the disciples an example.

He also talked about praying with others.

Matthew 18: 19-20

Jesus said "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

Both are equally important however it is most important to remember that prayer is not the answer; God is the answer. Prayer is the vehicle by which we reach God. We don't need to be looking to prayer. We need to be looking to God through prayer.

Jesus talks about the method of prayer...why one prays determines how someone prays. I prayed before a church basketball game and we have had some problems with guys getting mad and so forth so in my prayer I asked God to "watch over our temperatures", I got done and everyone laughed at my mistake, and we had a great game. Did the Holy Spirit cause the mistake and put everyone at ease with the mistake?

I agree with you AL. Don't pray for show or to be seen, but leading one through a group or worship would be fine.

Did the Holy Spirit cause the mistake and put everyone at ease with the mistake? Possible I do believe that the Lord has a sense of humor.

I'm not concerned with all the legalisms. My only concern is whether or not anyone is listening.

But what about Scripture 6?

 

6But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

 

What do you do with the corporate prayers of worship?

 

There are many in the OT.

 

What do you do with Jesus' model prayer? It's not in a closet. It's a lesson to the disciples.

 

The Real Lord's Prayer: John 17, is Jesus' prayer in front of and for the disciples and not alone.

What the hypocrites were doing was when they decided to pray they would go out into the street and do it. Jesus was telling an individual what to do when he/she wanted to pray.

 

I'm at home by myself and if I want to pray I'd do it alone, I wouldn't get up and go out on Bardstown Road and let folks seeing me pray, if I'd wanted them to see what I was doing thats wrong.

What do you do with the corporate prayers of worship?

 

There are many in the OT.

 

What do you do with Jesus' model prayer? It's not in a closet. It's a lesson to the disciples.

 

The Real Lord's Prayer: John 17, is Jesus' prayer in front of and for the disciples and not alone.

 

I am not sure and why I posed the question to those I have grown to respect their opinion. Just trying to understand.

I think Jesus was for public and private prayer...His actions prove that.

 

The point He was trying to get across was about your motivation when praying. In Matthew 6:5-6 when He talkes about the hypocrites praying on the street to be seen of men and for you to go into your room in secret, He's speaking about motives. If you're praying out loud, in public, just to look good in front of people, then you aren't praying to God...you're praying so the people around you will notice and think you're a good person...that is your reward. The point He's making about praying in secret is just elaborating on what He started...don't pray for public notice, pray to the Father from the heart. When He speaks of vain repititions after that, He's still on the same point...if you're just reciting the exact same words over and over with no real meaning and heart behind it, then you're missing the point. Again, your prayers should be sincere and from the heart...then God will hear.

 

Jesus' actions prove this point...there were times when He departed to pray all alone and others when He prayed with people present. He wasn't trying to say that you always have to pray alone in your closet, or that you always had to recite the Lord's prayer verbatim...it's all about motivation. Pray sincerely and from the heart...not because you think it's required for salvation or to look good in front of people.

I think Jesus was for public and private prayer...His actions prove that.

 

The point He was trying to get across was about your motivation when praying. In Matthew 6:5-6 when He talkes about the hypocrites praying on the street to be seen of men and for you to go into your room in secret, He's speaking about motives. If you're praying out loud, in public, just to look good in front of people, then you aren't praying to God...you're praying so the people around you will notice and think you're a good person...that is your reward. The point He's making about praying in secret is just elaborating on what He started...don't pray for public notice, pray to the Father from the heart. When He speaks of vain repititions after that, He's still on the same point...if you're just reciting the exact same words over and over with no real meaning and heart behind it, then you're missing the point. Again, your prayers should be sincere and from the heart...then God will hear.

 

Jesus' actions prove this point...there were times when He departed to pray all alone and others when He prayed with people present. He wasn't trying to say that you always have to pray alone in your closet, or that you always had to recite the Lord's prayer verbatim...it's all about motivation. Pray sincerely and from the heart...not because you think it's required for salvation or to look good in front of people.

 

I agree wholeheartedly. (sp?)

 

That's one of the reasons I've had problems with school sanctioned prayer. However, I know that's another issue.

5wide said what I was trying to say....I need to get me a writer. Momma says..."you type like you talk".