Prayer in Public

[Jeffwhosoever]

Jesus accused the Pharisees of praying in public in order to impress others. In our modern times, should we as Christians pray in public such as at restaurants, why or why not? Has anyone actually been able to witness to someone or a group after being seen praying in public, or do you feel that such praying might serve the Holy Spirit in convicting non-believers? Also, what are some good short prayers that you use in these public situations? This practice is new to me, and I don't want to go wrong especially given the warning from Jesus Christ Himself.

 

[heron]

If it comes to a decision about whether to pray or not, then the awareness of other people is intruding. We pray to communicate with God, so if we make a conscious choice not to, then we are basing our decision on what men think. But you can pray quietly or out loud, and it is still the same prayer.

I know of cases where praying in public has brought conviction, and connections, and made some sort of headway as you say. But think about whether that is the right reason to pray. It shows an agenda, as though God is out of the picture.

It's a hurdle to do it, and you probably wouldn't do it with people who don't pray as your dinner partner. You can just quietly close your eyes for a few seconds. Or pray to yourself (to God, lol) while you're waiting for the food.

Short prayers --
Think about the structure of the Lord's prayer. There is confession, gratefulness, prayer that God's ends are achieved, request for protection... that can be the structure of any prayer.

Thanks for the opportunity for us to get together
and for the way You worked out situations this afternoon
forgive us for the way we dealt with that person
please continue to work in X situation
Pls put Your blessing on this food, so it will bring health to us
And give us strength to keep serving You
Give us guidance in our next steps, as we always appreciate Your help.


You can add whatever is on your mind, especially if you want to pray for people surrounding you in the restaurant... healing, peace, protection. (Without them hearing of course.)

 

[salida]

I pray in public but I don't make a big show of it. My intentions are to talk to God not show off like the Pharisees and pretend I'm good. I have seen other people pray as a group occasionally.

 

[heymikey80]

Approach the throne with humility and care for God's opinion far more than your hearers.

I have certain set prayers that are not normal recitations that I often use in such situations. I built them myself years ago as something to say that would express my intent.

I also have a "set" prayer for food, it's so often used, as well as one for "company". Mostly because I can't avoid thinking about the people around me when I'm praying.

In any event, if you have those, look up some prayers your denomination might recommend. The shortest non-specific "restaurant prayer" I have is

"Our Father, we thank you for your salvation. Bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies in Christ's name, Amen."

 

[Aibrean]

You don't have to pray audibly or even with a bent head and closed eyes.

 

[fhall]

I struggle with this too. thanks for the replies!

 

[Jeffz]

We can ask ourselves what is our motive in praying in public, is it to impress men, then I would say we should withhold outward prayer. We can pray without cessing, this is a life of prayer in all that we do and say. Even our daily chores can be an expression of prayer. The bible teaches us that our lives are living epistles, read and seen of men. As long as our motives are to bring Glory to God then we are on the righteous tract.

one set free,
Jeffrey

 

[ditte]

We can ask ourselves what is our motive in praying in public, is it to impress men, then I would say we should withhold outward prayer. We can pray without cessing, this is a life of prayer in all that we do and say. Even our daily chores can be an expression of prayer. The bible teaches us that our lives are living epistles, read and seen of men. As long as our motives are to bring Glory to God then we are on the righteous tract.

one set free,
Jeffrey

Well said.You expressed my thoughts.It always depends on our motivation.for example when we pray in church together,it's public,but most of us don't pray to impress people of how grat we are (hopefully),but praise the Lotd and pray to him.Jesu was talking about the hypocrates who were in fact not praying to God from their hearts but show their "greatness".There were no humbleness in them.Of course it's better to pray alone with God,because it's a personal talk with or dear Lord,but I think we can pray in church.Of course as I said the motivation is important.God bless you.

 

[Jeffz]

Thanks Ditte I appreceate your blessing. When we humble ourselves God will exalt us in due time.

 

[jayh]

From the other side of your question. I am one who has found herself having hands laid on her and prayer made for me in the entrance to a supermarket and at a later time while actually shopping in a large store.

The first time in the outdoors I did not feel comfortable at all though the intention might have been a kind one. A minister had said he would pray for me then added that he would do it right now. Please give some thought to this as I think I was supposed to be in agreement to it but it seemed that he so wanted to and in a second laid his hand on my shoulder and started to pray aloud. Maybe it will be a testimony to some, if not all, of the shoppers going in and out of the mall. I hope so.

I was at the top of an isle and when rounding the corner I saw and said hello to three Christians. There was a little sharing of how we were doing and then again the same Minister just laid his hand on me and openly prayed.
I know this seems a good thing but may I ask a question? Would you have felt comfortable? I would rather be asked, have a second or two to think about it and either say if I would or preferred not to at the top of an isle in a Supermarket. Although I would thank the person for the thought.
This is only me speaking and how I felt uncomfortable and rather a little pounced on.

Jayh

 

[Jeffz]

I still am uncomfortable to have someone pray for me in public, maybe it is my flesh not liking to be humbled. I usually feel better afterward but while it is taking place I just want to run and hide. My flesh doesn't like to die, but it is what I need so maybe feeling uncomfortable is good for my soul.

Jeffrey

 

[throughchristimchanged]

Jesus accused the Pharisees of praying in public in order to impress others. In our modern times, should we as Christians pray in public such as at restaurants, why or why not? Has anyone actually been able to witness to someone or a group after being seen praying in public, or do you feel that such praying might serve the Holy Spirit in convicting non-believers? Also, what are some good short prayers that you use in these public situations? This practice is new to me, and I don't want to go wrong especially given the warning from Jesus Christ Himself.

what truly is a Pharisee?

This is an important point because the literature of the Pharisaic tradition in no way sanctions hypocrisy. In fact it is in agreement with Jesus, yet there can be no doubt that hypocrisy existed among the Pharisees during the time of Jesus but we must not make the mistake that the early writers of the oral tradition were all corrupt and blind.
It is also important to note that all of the Pharisees were not like those described in Matthew 23. The gospels contain references to Pharisees who were admirable men. Nicodemus is an excellent example of what a Pharisee ought to have been. He was genuinely a seeker of truth (John 3:1 ff.), spoke out for justice on behalf of Jesus (John 7:50) , and remained a follower of Jesus even after the disciples had fallen away (John 19:39)