Prayer Question

[SilverFox]

Matthew 6:5-6
New International Version (NIV)
5 �And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

How do you feel about this? I've never had a problem with prayer request... in fact I welcome it and I pray for anyone who ask. Even if at times I don't comment on here I still offer prayer.

What I'm refering to is people who get on things like facebook and make a show out of prayers. I feel like what I ask in prayer is between God and myself... He knows what I ask before I do.

 

[Bowdacious]

My Dad explained it as those who just pray out loud to get attention and not really talking with God. A prayer should be heartfelt no matter where it is. Public prayer is good if it is sincere and some share the words as a way to let others know what is on their heart.
That would be my take on it.

 

[Kimber45]

Simply says dont pray to draw attention to yourself... IMO, which I believe some of our TV folks do as they are begging for $ in the process.

Your prayer is between yourself and the Lord however letting someone know you're offering a prayer per their request is fine, or thats how I understand it anyway.

I have to agree that making a show out of prayers on FB etc. is probably not following the Bible.

 

[Nimrod777]

The pray-ers referred to in that passage were men who sought status and recognition, not Godly conversation. There's a huge difference between what they were doing, praying loudly in garb that identified them to passers-by as "holy" men, relying on their wardrobe and volume to raise their supposed standing in the community, and what we do as Christians brothers and sisters who share in prayer needs.

Prayer as a regular means of communication between God and self is certainly a personal thing, the brunt of which can be done in secret, as it were. But as the church took form in Acts, they constantly gathered in prayer for significant causes, from the imprisonment of a disciple to the needs of their people. And the exaltation of God is always a worthwhile cause for corporate prayer, just as Revelation shows is going on regularly beyond this mudball.

As to the hearts of people who post, what may seem like self-seeking may not necessarily be so. I shared something a while back for my Facebook friends meant to be celebratory. An acquaintance took a snarky shot at me as being a glory-seeker. Oh well, if you aren't dodging shots once in a while, perhaps your playing it too safe

 

[WGK]

When we pray God knows our heart. When a prayer is offed and written on this site I want to think it is sincere. And I want hope that it is offered in that manner to help comfort that person in need.

 

[TN Larry]

Agree with the above! It is not praying it public per say that gets you. It is referencing praying in public for recognition instead of praying from your heart between you and God. God knows your heart and intent.

 

[TNGunsmoke]

I see the prayer requests on FB and may answer with an "ok, done" more to let the folks requesting the prayers know that others are reading and listening to their requests. It is an intercessory prayer, and I don't think of it as making a public statement for any kind of reward. Just a way of letting my friends know that I am thinking of them.

 

[SilverFox]

I totally missed what I was trying to say... What I'm talking about is people who get on Facebook and other places and write out prayers for everyone to read. Most of them start off "Dear God" and they go on to ask for who knows what.

 

[Kimber45]

I totally missed what I was trying to say... What I'm talking about is people who get on Facebook and other places and write out prayers for everyone to read. Most of them start off "Dear God" and they go on to ask for who knows what.

I've never seen them - I'm not on FB but I have to hope they are looking for God/prayers themselves and not just looking to be seen as something..

 

[SilverFox]

I see it all the time where people will write a long prayer asking for all kinds of stuff... Stuff I wouldn't think about putting on an open forum. He knows my needs before I ask... I guess that is the disturbing part for me. If you needs prayers, ask but when it seems you're making a show out of it I turn away.

Usually the next post they are cussing or posting a less than appropriate picture. LOL

Some people just don't get it.

 

[Nimrod777]

Oh, I hear ya. That's a horse of a different color, there. Now I do see merit to it when folks offer the prayer, in writing, for someone who has requested it. Mainly because I know that the percentage of well intentioned folks who say they will pray but don't is not encouraging. But if they're making out a long list of personal needs... well I think that's where your closet becomes a best location.

 

[Bowdacious]

Oh, I hear ya. That's a horse of a different color, there. Now I do see merit to it when folks offer the prayer, in writing, for someone who has requested it. Mainly because I know that the percentage of well intentioned folks who say they will pray but don't is not encouraging. But if they're making out a long list of personal needs... well I think that's where your closet becomes a best location.

What he said. That does seem to be just to get attention. In that case, it is very wrong.