Praying In the Streets...Am I wrong about this?

[Sword-In-Hand]

Ok, our church has a prayer ministry, which is awesome. On Wednesday nights we meet in a private room and have circle prayer and it always turns into a great manifestation of the Spirit.

Our county is ravaged by drug use, alcoholism (and it's a dry county), and drug manufacturing. I think twenty-four people in the last year have been indicted on drug manufacturing charges. I say this to give you a picture of why our prayer ministry is going to do something and it doesn't set well with me.

We are supposed to go around our town and pray in specific spots, right out in the middle of public. Now mind you, I have no problem with praying over a city, because Jesus did over Jersusalem, but instead of going next to people and starting a big circle prayer, shouldn't we be talking to them about the Lord? I know in my eyes if I was a person casually hanging around the bad places of the town and I saw a group praying next to me, I would take offense. I know I would think that they thought I was this terrible sinner who wasn't worthy enough to talk to and I would feel they were judging me. Also I am reminded what Jesus said about prayer. He said the Pharisees prayed out in public just so people would see them and that when we pray, we go into our private room where our Father is.

So am I wrong in thinking that this prayer journey isn't right? I want my county to change and I do pray for it, in my private prayer time or with a small group in private. I mean they plan on setting up right in the middle of the "hot spots" where alot of trafficking goes through. Is that right? I need advice on this.

 

[Jesus7Lives]

I agree. This is not the best approach to help the people. I say that your ministy should walk around telling people about our Lord. I do hope that they change their minds about this. God Bless!

 

[HumbleMan]

I agree. This is not the best approach to help the people. I say that your ministy should walk around telling people about our Lord. I do hope that they change their minds about this. God Bless!

And I've got to go the other way. I personally wouldn't want to walk into an area like this without first praying for success and safety. A prayer covering, if you will.

Almost everyone who wants to evangelize the bad places goes with the witnessing method, which is good. But expected.

I would think that by standing in the street and praying, you would garner more attention because it's not as common, and then you can witness once you have their interest.

But prayers is always good, whether it's before, during, or after, or all three.

May God speak through you on your mission

 

[Lisa0315]

Ok, our church has a prayer ministry, which is awesome. On Wednesday nights we meet in a private room and have circle prayer and it always turns into a great manifestation of the Spirit.

Our county is ravaged by drug use, alcoholism (and it's a dry county), and drug manufacturing. I think twenty-four people in the last year have been indicted on drug manufacturing charges. I say this to give you a picture of why our prayer ministry is going to do something and it doesn't set well with me.

We are supposed to go around our town and pray in specific spots, right out in the middle of public. Now mind you, I have no problem with praying over a city, because Jesus did over Jersusalem, but instead of going next to people and starting a big circle prayer, shouldn't we be talking to them about the Lord? I know in my eyes if I was a person casually hanging around the bad places of the town and I saw a group praying next to me, I would take offense. I know I would think that they thought I was this terrible sinner who wasn't worthy enough to talk to and I would feel they were judging me. Also I am reminded what Jesus said about prayer. He said the Pharisees prayed out in public just so people would see them and that when we pray, we go into our private room where our Father is.

So am I wrong in thinking that this prayer journey isn't right? I want my county to change and I do pray for it, in my private prayer time or with a small group in private. I mean they plan on setting up right in the middle of the "hot spots" where alot of trafficking goes through. Is that right? I need advice on this.

I am somewhat for AND against this idea. When I first became a Christian, a Christian co-worker took me out to lunch and then asked ME to say the blessing. I did it, but afterwards, I felt as if she had been testing me to see if I was REALLY a Christian. This did not sit well with me. I feel as if my prayer time is to be private. I do not pray out loud at church although many do. We also have a regular prayer time in which the whole church prays. Some pray loudly and others do not even move their lips. Those that are loud, (and I am not talking about the one who is LEADING the prayer), I wonder, are they doing it for a show?

On the other hand, where two or more are gathered in His name...I guess, it just depends on what the real purpose is, what the plan is after you pray. I mean, are you just going to leave after you get done praying, or are you going to talk to people? That would be my question. To pray in public just for a show does not seem right, but if there is something planned afterward, then, I think it might be okay.

Lisa

 

[arunma]

Hello Sword-in-hand. I don't think your church is evil for praying in public, but I do think they're misguided. I take the teachings of Jesus literally (that is, at face value). And when he says not to pray in public, I think that this statement contains no allegory. Thus, I never pray publically.

Now, as long as your church does not pray hypocritically or judgmentally, I do not think they are guilty of sin. But for the purposes of the teaching on public prayer, I don't think they are in keeping with Christ's teachings.

 

[TwinCrier]

I think more Christians need to come out of the closet with their prayers. The sinners certainly have no problem parading in public. Jesus prayed publicly and we should follow His example. I'm sure anyone from your chuch will gladly share the gospel with any interested people, but beyond that, they will just be accused of shoving the bible down peoples' throats or forcing their religion on people. I just don't see how this could be a bad thing.

 

[Maeyken]

Hello Sword-in-hand. I don't think your church is evil for praying in public, but I do think they're misguided. I take the teachings of Jesus literally (that is, at face value). And when he says not to pray in public, I think that this statement contains no allegory. Thus, I never pray publically.

This brings up a question I've had for awhile. I know it's a little off topic, but it's not *completely* different.

When you say you never pray publically- what about giving thanks for meals? Do you pray when you're in a restaurant for a meal?
When I'm in a restaurant I usually close my eyes and say a quick little prayer silently. If I'm with my fiance we both close our eyes and he says a quick little prayer out loud.

I'm just curious what other people do.

 

[arunma]

I think more Christians need to come out of the closet with their prayers. The sinners certainly have no problem parading in public. Jesus prayed publicly and we should follow His example. I'm sure anyone from your chuch will gladly share the gospel with any interested people, but beyond that, they will just be accused of shoving the bible down peoples' throats or forcing their religion on people. I just don't see how this could be a bad thing.

Twincrier, I can't think off hand of any Bible verses mentioning Jesus praying publically. Do you know where it is mentioned that Jesus prayed publically? Also, how do you interpret the specific command, "But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (St. Matthew 6:6)? I don't know how to interpret that to mean anything but that we should keep our prayers "in the closet," so to speak.

When you say you never pray publically- what about giving thanks for meals? Do you pray when you're in a restaurant for a meal?
When I'm in a restaurant I usually close my eyes and say a quick little prayer silently. If I'm with my fiance we both close our eyes and he says a quick little prayer out loud.

I always pray silently. Usually when I'm with other believers, we do utter a public prayer. But we do so somewhat quietly and discretely. Essentially, we're not trying to get other people to hear us. I'm sure the Lord won't mind if people hear my prayers in spite of my attempts to keep them secret. At least this way, he won't convict me of hypocrisy.

 

[Andyman_1970]

…….. but instead of going next to people and starting a big circle prayer, shouldn't we be talking to them about the Lord?

How about instead of “just” praying for them how about feeding them, or loving them in some way no strings attached?

I want my county to change and I do pray for it, in my private prayer time or with a small group in private.

Jesus says in Matthew 5:16 that by our good deeds pagans will come to worship God. Now when a Jewish rabbi says “good deeds” He’s referring to the mitzvot from the Torah – the commandments from God to do things like take care of the poor, take care of the widows, take care of the orphans, take care of the stranger in your land, if someone needs a tunic you give them one…….etc.

So with that in mind, IMO more of those activities should be done rather than “just” praying for those people. Which takes me to James 2, if all we do is pray for them James says that faith is dead (specifically in that chapter with regards to taking care of those in need).

Paul in Ephesians 2:8-10 says the reason we are saved to go do the “good deeds/works”. There’s nothing wrong with praying for people, but if a person’s faith does not lead to them actually helping people in need, and loving them unconditionally, the Bible and Jesus have some pretty strong language about that kind of faith.

 

[Sword-In-Hand]

Now, I'm more confused lol. Here is what happened last night during the prayer walk. I didn't go. The plan was for the group to walk through the streets and pray at specific locations. The group got to their first destination and no further.

When they started praying a gentleman noticed them and walked over to them. He watched silently while they prayed, and then someone in the group asked if he would like to join and he did. After more talking he admitted that he was addicted to something and that he needed Jesus. And they witnessed to him and he was saved.

So the prayer journey turned out to be just a prayer lol.

 

[Andyman_1970]

. And they witnessed to him and he was saved.

Wow that's awesome. I hope they helped him with his physical needs as well as his spiritual needs.

Very cool though..............

 

[Sword-In-Hand]

Wow that's awesome. I hope they helped him with his physical needs as well as his spiritual needs.

Very cool though..............

Yeah, I forgot to mention that. When he came into the group he was shirtless and one of the men on the walk gave him a shirt and brought him to church to our services.

 

[Crazy Liz]

Hey, Sword! I'm so happy to hear how it turned out.

On the other hand, where two or more are gathered in His name...I guess, it just depends on what the real purpose is, what the plan is after you pray. I mean, are you just going to leave after you get done praying, or are you going to talk to people? That would be my question. To pray in public just for a show does not seem right, but if there is something planned afterward, then, I think it might be okay.

Lisa

Lisa, I think the point of prayer walks is to pray for the area and for God's guidance as to what else to do besides pray. Coming with an agenda in mind as to what to do after praying, as if this was the REAL purpose is just the opposite of the mindset of a prayer walk.

This is not the first story I have heard of prayer walks ending in action that had not been planned in advance. Being open to the Holy Spirit, and trying to see the people as God sees them while praying in their presence is usually the purpose of a prayer walk. It's purpose is to pray before setting an agenda.

 

[Andyman_1970]

Yeah, I forgot to mention that. When he came into the group he was shirtless and one of the men on the walk gave him a shirt and brought him to church to our services.

That is so cool, I absolutely love hearing stories like that.

 

[Lisa0315]

Hey, Sword! I'm so happy to hear how it turned out.



Lisa, I think the point of prayer walks is to pray for the area and for God's guidance as to what else to do besides pray. Coming with an agenda in mind as to what to do after praying, as if this was the REAL purpose is just the opposite of the mindset of a prayer walk.

This is not the first story I have heard of prayer walks ending in action that had not been planned in advance. Being open to the Holy Spirit, and trying to see the people as God sees them while praying in their presence is usually the purpose of a prayer walk. It's purpose is to pray before setting an agenda.

Well, I have never heard of a prayer walk before this, so I sure wasn't aware of the "rules". However, I would not go on the prayer walk without praying for guidance first. So, whatever the Lord led me to do before, during, and after the prayer, that is what I think would be right. There would be no AGENDA as you put it.

As this turned out, it was used by God to save a soul. So, I surely cannot disagree with that.

 

[JPPT1974]

Yeah, I forgot to mention that. When he came into the group he was shirtless and one of the men on the walk gave him a shirt and brought him to church to our services.

That is nice that people overlooked what he looked like.
And help the man in need.
Really considerate of them.

 

[arunma]

I guess this goes to show that a Christian need not have perfect theology in order to be an effective witness to Christ. I think that as long as these people do not have hypocrisy in their hearts, they can still serve the Lord. That said, I think it's better to obey Jesus' command to not pray in public.

 

[CFoster]

Now, I'm more confused lol. Here is what happened last night during the prayer walk. I didn't go. The plan was for the group to walk through the streets and pray at specific locations. The group got to their first destination and no further.

When they started praying a gentleman noticed them and walked over to them. He watched silently while they prayed, and then someone in the group asked if he would like to join and he did. After more talking he admitted that he was addicted to something and that he needed Jesus. And they witnessed to him and he was saved.

So the prayer journey turned out to be just a prayer lol.

This story seems like pretty good evidence that the Lord took this prayer walk as an act of faith and used them to minister to a person in need.

When talking about public prayer, I believe the Lord was more concerned about praying with a right heart than public prayer. He was more concerned with why they prayed in public as oppossed to that they were praying in public.

This group went into hostile territory to pray for lost souls and a lost community. I thank the Lord for their faith and actions.

Clifton

 

[SharonL]

When I ask someone to pray it is out of respect and not testing. I feel they are a really good voice for the Lord. They are honoring your walk.

I am somewhat for AND against this idea. When I first became a Christian, a Christian co-worker took me out to lunch and then asked ME to say the blessing. I did it, but afterwards, I felt as if she had been testing me to see if I was REALLY a Christian. This did not sit well with me. I feel as if my prayer time is to be private. I do not pray out loud at church although many do. We also have a regular prayer time in which the whole church prays. Some pray loudly and others do not even move their lips. Those that are loud, (and I am not talking about the one who is LEADING the prayer), I wonder, are they doing it for a show?

On the other hand, where two or more are gathered in His name...I guess, it just depends on what the real purpose is, what the plan is after you pray. I mean, are you just going to leave after you get done praying, or are you going to talk to people? That would be my question. To pray in public just for a show does not seem right, but if there is something planned afterward, then, I think it might be okay.

Lisa

 

[JPPT1974]

But I worry about those who try to pray in the streets.
While taking advantage of themselves.
Just to get attention or worse. To make money.
Don't you all worry about that.