"hypocrites.. love to pray standing on the street corner".. forums too?

[twin.spin]

Is whipping out a prayer on a forum like this the modern equilivent of "standing on the street corner" ...

Why or why not?

 

[LilLamb219]

No. The people admonished for standing on the street corner praying were only "praying" to be seen by others. It was a show. The people on this forum are legitimately requesting prayers for themselves or others. I might pray for these people without ever letting them know about it.

 

[twin.spin]

No. The people admonished for standing on the street corner praying were only "praying" to be seen by others. It was a show. The people on this forum are legitimately requesting prayers for themselves or others. I might pray for these people without ever letting them know about it.

Don't take me incorrectly ... but what I'm about to do is to ask for a deeper why you think so: ... I'm not insinuating that if\when you do that you're a hypocrate.

So with that said... is there some where in scripture where that distinction is expressed directly or indirectly?
Meaning... for instance (using your example):

• how is this "not seen by others"

or

• what if a person doesn't request a prayer and one is done anyway

 

[LilLamb219]

I don't think I understand exactly what you're baiting us with...oops, I mean requesting from us

 

[QuiltAngel]

We have a number of members here who post prayers in the threads. Why wouldn't they pray for someone or something that they see needs to be prayed about? Something sure has you riled up.

Let's look at the text you are referencing:

Luke 18:10 “Two men fwent up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
Luke 18:11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
Luke 18:12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’
Luke 18:13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’
Luke 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For neveryone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Let's see, the Pharisee was praying in a "hey look at me and what I have done" manner whereas the other man humbled himself before God and asked that God be merciful to him.

My question to you is why you think it inappropriate for another to pray for another here on the forum? Why the baited type question here?

 

[twin.spin]

We have a number of members here who post prayers in the threads. Why wouldn't they pray for someone or something that they see needs to be prayed about? Something sure has you riled up.

Let's look at the text you are referencing:

Luke 18:10 “Two men fwent up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
Luke 18:11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
Luke 18:12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’
Luke 18:13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’
Luke 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For neveryone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Let's see, the Pharisee was praying in a "hey look at me and what I have done" manner whereas the other man humbled himself before God and asked that God be merciful to him.

My question to you is why you think it inappropriate for another to pray for another here on the forum? Why the baited type question here?

Jane,
What makes you think that:
1) it's a baited question
2) that I was referencing Luke 18

I was referencing Matthew 6:5-7 (which was part of the sermon on the mount)

“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 men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

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."

​

In two short paragraphs..Jesus has a "do" and "don't" about the act of praying. I don't know why your so defensive unless you think what Jesus is saying here is baited.

What I'm doing is trying to generate some objective evaluations of forums as to how much of them are God pleasing. Somewhere I recall reading in the OT something to the effect that one should not go beyond what is commanded .. be it for good reasons or not.

Thus the Matthew 6:5-7 when it comes to prayers in a forum.

 

[bach90]

Let's say that it is hypocrisy...here's the big picture, I as a Christian can say that in this life as long as my sinful flesh clings to me, as long as my heart born in original sin beats, I will never be free from hypocrisy...Christians will never be free from hypocrisy. If you try and say your not, your using the law for your salvation, your own deeds...the Gospel is how man is justified, apart from works.

Hi, I'm a hypocrite and I am a Christian. I am a sinner and a saint. A sinner because I was born a man and must die (Sirach 14:17). A saint, not because I avoid hypocrisy, but because I was Baptized (1 Pet 3:21) into the name of the Triune God and because I feast on his Most Holy Body and Blood where he gives me forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.

 

[cerette]

Let's say that it is hypocrisy...here's the big picture, I as a Christian can say that in this life as long as my sinful flesh clings to me, as long as my heart born in original sin beats, I will never be free from hypocrisy...Christians will never be free from hypocrisy. If you try and say your not, your using the law for your salvation, your own deeds...the Gospel is how man is justified, apart from works.

Hi, I'm a hypocrite and I am a Christian. I am a sinner and a saint. A sinner because I was born a man and must die (Sirach 14:17). A saint, not because I avoid hypocrisy, but because I was Baptized (1 Pet 3:21) into the name of the Triune God and because I feast on his Most Holy Body and Blood where he gives me forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.

Still doesn't mean hypocrisy is ever OK!

 

[bach90]

Still doesn't mean hypocrisy is ever OK!

Absolutely right, cf. Romans 6:1 and Galatians 5.

 

[QuiltAngel]

I have always understood that these verses are not talking about the where they are praying, but the reasons behind it. The ones standing on the street corner are doing it so people can see that they are praying. Back to the "hey look at me, I am praying" thing again. They are praying for the express purpose of being seen by others.

Now in verse 6, He is telling us that God hears us when we pray even when it is invisible to others.

verse 7 tells us that we are not to pray empty phrases like those who pray on the street corner tend to do.

I don't see her that we are not allowed to pray meaningful prayers here on the forums. Nor do I find that those who do offer prayers here on the forums are doing so in an "unworthy" manner. I see that they are doing so in a sincere and humble manner, praying for those who are in a discussion or having a difficult time. Not for the purpose of to be praying just for the sake of praying.

Why did I think it is a baited question? It just might have been the dismissive way you replied to LilLamb as well as the way you were throwing around the word hypocrite. It is like you are saying that those who offer prayers on the forums here are hypocrites in your mind. It comes across as baiting.

 

[bach90]

To me, it seemed like a baited question...

As far as whether it's okay to pray in public, it's important to look at the reasons behind it. Our Lord taught the Lord's Prayer publicly, and the blessed Apostles did the same. Paul begins and ends all his letters with prayers and the Book of Acts tells us that the Apostles worshiped publicly. What Our Lord was talking about in the Sermon on the Mount is about those who were praying to look good in front of men, indeed Matthew is full of warnings on right worship (Matt 15:9). If someone prays because it is genuine, it is no sin. If they only wish to be admired by others, well, they have received their reward.

 

[twin.spin]

To me, it seemed like a baited question...

As far as whether it's okay to pray in public, it's important to look at the reasons behind it. Our Lord taught the Lord's Prayer publicly, and the blessed Apostles did the same. Paul begins and ends all his letters with prayers and the Book of Acts tells us that the Apostles worshiped publicly. What Our Lord was talking about in the Sermon on the Mount is about those who were praying to look good in front of men, indeed Matthew is full of warnings on right worship (Matt 15:9). If someone prays because it is genuine, it is no sin. If they only wish to be admired by others, well, they have received their reward.

I do not perceive that Jesus had that in mind when he said:
“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 men."


I understand that nowhere does he is equate a believer and calls anyone who is as a hypocrite nor do I see Jesus baiting the issue.


About Jesus:

• And I do agree that Jesus taught the Lord's Prayer publicly.. not prayed the prayer publicly. In other words Jesus didn't say ... he guys lets have a prayer .
• Matthew 26:39-44 is an actual public prayer, but Jesus spoke it privately (Garden of Gethsemane)
• Mark 1:35 [ Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place ] is an actual public prayer
• John 17:1 [ Jesus Prays for Himself ] is an actual public prayer
  • Jesus Prays for Himself

However...
I do not read anywhere else in the Bible where the Apostles spoke or made reference to the Lord's prayer.


As far as Paul,

• I do not read salutations \ final thoughts as praying
• I read that Paul refers to his prayers or believers prayers, but I can't recall reading the actual prayer.

As for Acts, I did a word search on "prayer \ prayed" and found:

• Acts 1:14 is a reference to praying, not the actual prayer itself
• Acts 1:24 is an actual prayer, but it was among the Apostles to decide to replace Judas
• Acts 2:42 is a reference to praying, not the actual prayer itself
• Acts 3:1 is a reference to the time of prayer, not the actual prayer itself
• Acts 4:23 is an actual prayer, but "Peter and John "went back to their own people" ... it was not spoken in an open forum
• Acts 4:31 is a reference to praying, not the actual prayer itself
• Acts 6:4 is a reference to praying, not the actual prayer itself
• Acts 6:6 is a reference to praying, not the actual prayer itself
• Acts 7:59 is an actual prayer spoken in public by Stephen
  • the prayer was for himself just prior to death
• Acts 8:15 is a reference to praying, not the actual prayer itself
• Acts 9:40 is a reference to praying, not the actual prayer itself
• Acts 10:2 is a reference to praying, not the actual prayer itself
• Acts 10:4 is a reference to praying, not the actual prayer itself
• Acts 10:31 is a reference to praying, not the actual prayer itself
• Acts 13:3 is a reference to praying, not the actual prayer itself
• Acts 14:23 is a reference to praying, not the actual prayer itself
• Acts 16:13 is a reference to the place of prayer, not the actual prayer itself
• Acts 16:16 is a reference to the place of prayer, not the actual prayer itself
• Acts 20:36 is a reference to praying, not the actual prayer itself
• Acts 27:29 is a reference to praying, not the actual prayer itself
• Acts 28:8 is a reference to praying, not the actual prayer itself

Being that I was seeing a pattern developing, I asked my pastor about this and he stated (paraphrased)
" I'll remember you in my prayers" \ "I'll be praying for you" ect or say something like "please remember in your prayers..." is more like the pattern that is mentioned in the Bible than having the actual prayer isprobably the more apporpiate on-line practice rather than posting an actual prayer "


For myself ...I don't look to make the exception as the rule.The two public exceptions ( one by Jesus, the other Stephen) if you noticed where for themself.


Then of course there is the scriptural concept of fellowship or as God taught it:
Acts 4:23 "went back to their own people"

1 Corinthians 1:10no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.