It's not as if I'm trying to condemn you by doing it, so, why does it bother you so much...?

[The Righterzpen]

I sometimes think the same way about myself also, not that I'm an absolutely terrible or horrible or wholly evil representative, but definitely inadequate, and, on here, and what I say on here, I'm oftentimes having to eat, or the Lord makes me eat also, in the minute of my doing them, ect, or whatever... and then I try to live up to my own words or practice what I preach, or walk the walk and just not talk the talk, and I fail miserably right now there, or in that area, but we might be changing some of that soon, or might try to, IDK?...

But yeah, I don't like measuring up or having to measure up, cause I know I don't measure up, and I'm a bit ashamed of myself for that, not Christ, but myself...

Anyway, I know how you feel and thanks for the reply...

God Bless!

Dr. Phil has a saying: "You wouldn't worry so much about what people think of you if you knew how infrequently they do." Most people are too self absorbed in their own lives to worry / be offended / or even notice a stranger in a restaurant praying.

Think of it this way. Why do you think you are so important to some stranger that they need to be offended by what you do? Logically that worry is ridiculous.

People have referenced bumperstickers in this thread. I have a window decal on the back of my car "We are set free" / "NOTW" (not of this word) It's a large rather elaborate looking cross with a citation from Galatians; but I also have veteran stickers, Habitat for Humanity, national parks volunteer stickers, "family" stickers etc. And if you're driving around and you make a mistake, normal people realize everyone does that. Don't sweat it. Now if you're driving around purposefully being an idiot, well that's a different story!

Society does allow parameters for "appropriate behavior" that isn't "cookie cutter". Sit in a busy mall for 1/2 hour or so and just watch people walk by. You'll notice there is quite a diversity. You'll see people who "look American" and people who obviously weren't born here. You'll see people of all ages, people who have one form of disability or another, probably every race and ethnic background known to humanity. You'll see people you can probably identify their religion (or at least cultural background) by the way they are dressed. I have seen Jews and Muslims of every variety in malls, Amish, nuns, priests, Buddhist monks, I've even seen people dressed as Star Wars or comic book characters. I've seen people in historical costumes. That's not uncommon around historical sites to see random people dressed as 18th or 19th century soldiers wandering around the community on lunch break.

Now as you sit and watch all this; what do you think of these people? Do you automatically think something bad about a woman in a Sari? What about an Amish person in Walmart? Some people are "freaked out" by Muslims - they don't bother me. I've seen people who look like they just got of the plane from Saudi Arabia. (Now yeah, that usually turns some heads in the US. LOL; but I have seen people in American malls in Saudi Arabian attire.) Do you think these people are "judging you" by what they are wearing or how they look? If you answer "no" to that question; than you must realize on some level that strangers aren't really paying attention to you.

 

[Resha Caner]

It's kinda off topic, but if you've ever seen the movie FireProof, one of my favorite moments and one of the best-acted moments in the film is when Catherine (an unbeliever) eats lunch with a Christian nurse. The nurse asks if it's OK for her to pray. Catherine says yes, and the nurse silently prays for a few moments.

Catherine's body language (actress Erin Bethea) is dead on. She never says she doesn't like the nurse praying, but her body language shows how uncomfortable she is. That's the truth of it most of the time. Most people are polite and won't say they don't like it. But a lot of people don't like it.

That's not a reason to stop, but it does deserve some consideration.

 

[RaymondG]

The only reason to make any outward gestures when praying in public, is the let the public know that you are praying and that anything positive that happens in that time is a result of YOU praying.

But this is not a bad thing.....as it is a great teaching tool and example that children can follow until they become of age and are ready for meat.

So the thing of note would be that you desire some people to know you are praying, and are afraid to show others. I believe these issues lies within and are unrelated to any spiritual relationship one might have.

 

[dms1972]

Yeah, I don't, generally don't like it at all, but would like to be able to at least pray over my meals in public without all the "whatever" though... Judgments from others thinking you are judging them, ect...

And any "other kind of attention" or whatever...

God Bless!

Are you concerned that something might be said, or has there been occasions when something was said?

 

[Toro]

It is neither right or wrong. The heart is what makes it so.

If you pray loud, to get attention or so that others hear you God isnt pleased.

If you pray silently over your food because you fear what others will do to you God is not pleased.

If you pray quietly because it is a private conversation between you and God but do not care if you are heard.... God is pleased.

If you pray loudly and it is out of love and devotion to Him but not intended to be forceful and disrespectful of others, God is pleased.

It is not how loudly we pray, but why we pray (or why we stifle our prayers)

 

[Monk Brendan]

Yeah, I don't, generally don't like it at all, but would like to be able to at least pray over my meals in public without all the "whatever" though... Judgments from others thinking you are judging them, ect...

And any "other kind of attention" or whatever...

God Bless!

Just go ahead, ok?

 

[Blade]

Christ...the Father.. the SWEET SWEET Holy Spirit... aka the reason. Why others do it? Could only speculate....not here to please man. There are many times I forget.

I remember the story of this preacher very long ago.. in some 3rd world nation. At the restaurant he noticed no one was praying.. he spoke up haha.. and call them something like pigs..what not.. and so many got saved that night. Praise GOD! Different times back then

 

[Der Alte]

I did not grow up in the church although I attended Sunday school off and on as a youngster and knew all the hero stories David, Joshua etc. In the midst of a personal crisis I became a Christian when Johnson was president. Nobody has ever said anything about me praying in public but I have never cared what others may think about me praying.
Once while passing through the Oakland CA airport I saw a group of Muslims, prayer rugs all in rows, praying in the parking lot. If they can do it for their Allah, I certainly can do it for God.

 

[Neogaia777]

Are you concerned that something might be said, or has there been occasions when something was said?

I just don't like the feeling that I'm being watched or stared at, ect...

God Bless!

 

[Neogaia777]

The only reason to make any outward gestures when praying in public, is the let the public know that you are praying and that anything positive that happens in that time is a result of YOU praying.

But this is not a bad thing.....as it is a great teaching tool and example that children can follow until they become of age and are ready for meat.

So the thing of note would be that you desire some people to know you are praying, and are afraid to show others. I believe these issues lies within and are unrelated to any spiritual relationship one might have.

The ones who would actually like it, or be built up by it or whatever, sure, I don't mind them seeing or watching or noticing, but others, is a little bit of a different story though...

If they were not offended in any way, they most certainly will not understand and will make many assumptions that are totally wrong about, either it, or me, in my book, and I "hate" that...

God Bless!

 

[Der Alte]

This is sort of in line with the topic of this thread. Several years ago I had lunch in a restaurant outside a military base in Kentucky. After my meal was served I bowed my head and was saying grace. The waitress approached me and asked if there was something wrong with the food. I simply said no and continued eating. After she walked away I mentally kicked myself. I thought that was a good chance to witness. A bit later she came back and asked me again, "Are you sure there is nothing wrong with your food?" I didn't blow chance number 2. I said "Oh no. I'm a Christian and I was just thanking God for my food."