i suspect every single one of you have sat in a pew or a folding chair listening to someone give a sermon, and then afterwards, heard that person "pray" into the microphone, a 'prayer' that is not really speaking to God at all, but is simply repeating a condensed version / synopsis of whatever it is that person was sermonizing about. speaking a couple bullet-point notes of an overview of his speech to all the people with their heads bowed and eyes closed, disguised as speaking to God.
is that a good way to pray?
We pray according to one manner called "this manner" ...Our father in heaven .
But when ye pray, use not
vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Be not ye therefore like unto them:
for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After
this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Mathew 6:7-12
Its not repetition that are vain. We are to cry out as children in repetition until he gives us His answer . But again its the manner in which we pray .Unlike the Catholics who pray repitiously... our patron saints (3500 and rising) as workers with familiar spirits in heaven , destroying the one manner... Our father in heaven
That does not mean there is no need for corporate prayer. Some might say what is on their heart more elegantly than others but it can help the congregation focus on our father in heaven not seen, as the witness God has spoken. In that way we are not to call any man on earth Father as the witness of man . Even the Son of man for our benefit prayed out loud to help us when we do congregate
together .Again our father in heaven showing us his unseen witness.
And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Mathew 3:7
Because we have the whole law of God as the book of the law, the Bible, and not a book of philosophical theories of men we would not want to go above that which is written if we do pray publicly as the witness of men. His witness the greater. As a representative glory we reflect His unsen glory.
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