Matthew 6:5-6
King James Version
5 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.
6 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.
With this authoritive prescription given by Jesus the anointed messiah, why do most of the church world do the opposite of what He taught?
With this definition of prayer , why do we look at prayer in scripture as audible?
Why does the church world fight so vehemently for prayer in schools when it can be done anytime, anywhere, the way Jesus taught it.
Why is prayer only acceptable to the church world today if its' done exactly as Christ told us not to do it?
I put this challenge to the members. Show any biblical text that supports audible prayer. but remember the datum point Christ gave us.
And just a disclaimer, i understand that even when people are gathered into groups, they could stay true to what Jesus taught.
It does not have anything to do with the prayer being audible for if we want to say it audible it is alright.
If we want to pray in public it is alright.
Prayer in school or Church it is all right.
And they would not be forcing anyone.
Pray whether audible, not audible, anywhere, any time, around people, not around people, in a group, alone.
For prayer should not be hindered.
Which the Bible says pray without ceasing.
Wouldn't group prayer be greater than single prayer.
Mat 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
Mat 6:2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Mat 6:5 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.
Mat 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Mat 6:16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Joh 12:43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
Pray whether audible, not audible, anywhere, any time, around people, not around people, in a group, alone.
The lesson is do not give glory to yourself like the hypocrites for they do things to be seen of people, and go out of their way to be seen of men, for they want people to think they are something special which they like people to praise them.
Oh look at him he is such a great man of God and does many things is what they want them to say.
Which their motivation is wrong for they want glory for themselves.
They are operating from the viewpoint of the flesh.
Like the Bible says they blow the trumpet when they give alms.
And disfigure their faces when they fast so to appear they are suffering for the kingdom.
And love to pray standing in the synagogue and on the corner of the street to be seen of men.
Their motive is about getting people to notice them for what they do.
To get praise, exalt themself, give glory to themself.
