We prayed at lunch!

[Polycarp_fan]

Agreed.

So, we have -

1 - Open prayer among a large group of company employees.

2 - The event of the company open prayer being made public on a public message board.

The next logical step would be to make a bumper sticker out of it, letting the whole world know about the company prayer.

To me, this has nothing to do with following the guidelines of prayer laid out by Jesus, (as you eloquently pointed out), has little to do with mere inspiration of fellow Christians, and has absolutely nothing to do with being humble. Quite the opposite, it comes off as an in your face - "We prayed at work, and I'm tellin' you about it. So there!"

The OP:

We prayed at lunch!

I work for a large company. Today we had our Christmas luncheon and before we ate, the VP led us in prayer. I am thankful that we were able to do so, and sad by the fact that I would even have to question whether we would be able to or not. But, overall I am grateful for my job and for the VP who has the courage to get up in front of everyone and lead us in prayer. I thought I would share this with fellow Christians and hopefully it will life you up, as well as anyone else who reads this!!

Jesus gave thanks when He ate. Thanking His Father in heaven and all. His last supper being a Passover meal. Which includes open communal prayers.

Ba-ruch a-tah A-do-nai E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ha-o-lam,
bo-rei mi-nei m'zo-not.

Blessed are You, HaShem, our God, King of the Universe,
who creates variety of sustenance.

(Not that that was the exact prayer.)

Which was a common thing for Israelites to do when "breaking bread."

Otherwise known as eating a meal.

Christians are grafted onto that tree.

 

[TheBear]

double-post

 

[Polycarp_fan]

Even ceding your point, that the prayer in and of itself wasn't against what Jesus meant, do you think that instead of just leaving at that, the OP is still within the spirit of what Jesus said, by taking it to the next level and making a public announcement about it? I mean, how far does one have to go before Christians finally say "Hey, you crossed the line, and are acting just like the Pharisees."?

When you alter scripture for political and social influence.

That's called hypocrisy.

 

[TheBear]

Christ didn't want any of His followers to pray boastfully or to gain social status as the Pharisees did.

Even ceding your point, that the prayer in and of itself wasn't against what Jesus meant, do you think that instead of just leaving at that, the OP is still within the spirit of what Jesus said, by taking it to the next level and making a public announcement about it? I mean, how far does one have to go before Christians finally say "Hey! You crossed the line, and are acting just like the Pharisees."?

 

[angellica]

Even ceding your point, that the prayer in and of itself wasn't against what Jesus meant, do you think that instead of just leaving at that, the OP is still within the spirit of what Jesus said, by taking it to the next level and making a public announcement about it? I mean, how far does one have to go before Christians finally say "Hey! You crossed the line, and are acting just like the Pharisees."?

Why are you against me sharing something uplifting with others? I was not throwing it in your face. I'm sharing something that brightened my day and lifted my spirits, nothing more and nothing less. I think you may be reading more into it than is there.

 

[TheBear]

Why are you against me sharing something uplifting with others? I was not throwing it in your face. I'm sharing something that brightened my day and lifted my spirits, nothing more and nothing less. I think you may be reading more into it than is there.

I don't care how you justify it. The fact is, you could have PM'd those Christians you had in mind to share with, or you could have posted this in one of the Christians Only sub-forums. Instead, you decided to make it an announcement in an area where not everyone thinks it is a great thing, nor feels anyway inspired about it. You mean to tell me that you've been here for over 5 months and didn't realize there are Christians Only sub-forums here, or that you don't know how to send PM's to multiple recipients?

 

[angellica]

I don't care how you justify it. The fact is, you could have PM's those Christians you had in mind to share with, or you could have posted this in one of the Christians Only sub-forums. Instead, you decided to make it an announcement in an area where not everyone thinks it is a great thing, nor feels anyway inspired about it. You mean to tell me that you've been here for over 5 months and didn't realize there are Christians Only sub-forums here, or that you don't know how to send PM's to multiple recipients?

I knew there was a Christian forum, but I've never posted to it. I haven't really spent much time looking at the other boards or sending PM's. It is interesting, however, to hear what others are saying about this. It was not my intention to offend you.

 

[TheBear]

I knew there was a Christian forum, but I've never posted to it. I haven't really spent much time looking at the other boards or sending PM's. It is interesting, however, to hear what others are saying about this. It was not my intention to offend you.

I'm not offended in the least. I'm just wondering how you can have a company held prayer, then take it a step further by making a public announcement about it, and don't see how this can be construed as being just like the Pharisees.

 

[angellica]

I'm not offended in the least. I'm just wondering how you can have a company held prayer, then take it a step further by making a public announcement about it, and don't see how this can be construed as being just like the Pharisees.

Here's my response from earlier:

Dang it, I really did come off the wrong way about this : (. I was truly happy that we were able to pray like we did. It was a humble, sincere prayer, but I'm afraid I made it sound like we were being boastful. I just wanted to share the story to fellow Christians in the hope that they would find it inspiring because in this day and age, things like this don't happen as much.

So to answer your question, when I posted it I did not think of it as being boastful or hypocritical. However, I can see how some are taking it as being boastful. While that was not my intention, I do see that it came across that way.

 

[TheBear]

So to answer your question, when I posted it I did not think of it as being boastful or hypocritical. However, I can see how some are taking it as being boastful. While that was not my intention, I do see that it came across that way.

I accept your explanation. I'll merely suggest that in the future, keep in mind the entirety of the audience you're addressing.

 

[QuakerOats]

I work for a large company. Today we had our Christmas luncheon and before we ate, the VP led us in prayer. I am thankful that we were able to do so, and sad by the fact that I would even have to question whether we would be able to or not. But, overall I am grateful for my job and for the VP who has the courage to get up in front of everyone and lead us in prayer. I thought I would share this with fellow Christians and hopefully it will life you up, as well as anyone else who reads this!!

I think this fine, so long as it's an agreed upon thing by all employees present. However, you mentioned in another post that 'if they tried to have a serious prayer to a random goddess, I would not respect that,' and that raises an alarm for me. If you wouldn't be comfortable with, or as you say, respectful of their prayer, that should perhaps raise an alarm for you also, and cause you to step back and really look at the situation from their point of view. I think Bombila brought up a good point as well, regarding the VP. I'd want to be sure that s/he isn't inclined to favouritism of any religion, or lack thereof. Over all, I believe a moment of silence is the better option when in public and/or addressing a diverse group of individuals, which is what we do here at public events.

 

[angellica]

I think this fine, so long as it's an agreed upon thing by all employees present. However, you mentioned in another post that 'if they tried to have a serious prayer to a random goddess, I would not respect that,' and that raises an alarm for me. If you wouldn't be comfortable with, or as you say, respectful of their prayer, that should perhaps raise an alarm for you also, and cause you to step back and really look at the situation from their point of view. I think Bombila brought up a good point as well, regarding the VP. I'd want to be sure that s/he isn't inclined to favouritism of any religion, or lack thereof. Over all, I believe a moment of silence is the better option when in public and/or addressing a diverse group of individuals, which is what we do here at public events.

Yes, I remember the comment you are referring to. I did respond to others who criticized that comment as well, but I'll explain it again. What happened is, someone asked "what if they prayed to the goddess Diana" or something like that. Now, when I read that question, I thought they just made up a goddess and were basically making fun of praying. So when I answered, I meant that if someone were making a mockery of prayer, praying to "Diana" (which at the time I did not know was an actual goddess that some pray to), I would not respect that - NOT because it was a religion different than my own, but because they were not being sincere, making a mockery of it. Once it was explained to me that Diana is someone people pray to, I said that yes, I would of course be respectful to people who are sincerely praying to a god/goddess that I don't acknowledge. I hope that explains it better because yes, it would be hypocritical of me if I didn't respect others religious views, but expected them to respect mine.

 

[quatona]

Not to be boastful or something, but last night we got drunk.
This is just to share something uplifting.

 

[angellica]

Not to be boastful or something, but last night we got drunk.
This is just to share something uplifting.

I see that you are trying to be funny here. This is Christian Forums, not Drunk Forums, which is why the praying thing is relevant.

 

[QuakerOats]

Yes, I remember the comment you are referring to. I did respond to others who criticized that comment as well, but I'll explain it again. What happened is, someone asked "what if they prayed to the goddess Diana" or something like that. Now, when I read that question, I thought they just made up a goddess and were basically making fun of praying. So when I answered, I meant that if someone were making a mockery of prayer, praying to "Diana" (which at the time I did not know was an actual goddess that some pray to), I would not respect that - NOT because it was a religion different than my own, but because they were not being sincere, making a mockery of it. Once it was explained to me that Diana is someone people pray to, I said that yes, I would of course be respectful to people who are sincerely praying to a god/goddess that I don't acknowledge. I hope that explains it better because yes, it would be hypocritical of me if I didn't respect others religious views, but expected them to respect mine.

Okay, I understand now. Thank you for explaining (again!).

 

[Caitlin.ann]

I see that you are trying to be funny here. This is Christian Forums, not Drunk Forums, which is why the praying thing is relevant.

No no no sweetie, YOU posted in Ethics and Morality which as NOTHING to do with group prayer. You came into the forums where non believers are readily able to post to..well seems to me to boast. If you don't like some of the answers you receive then go post in the christian only forums.

 

[TheBear]

Not to be boastful or something, but last night we got drunk.
This is just to share something uplifting.

 

[Caitlin.ann]

Yes, the prayer happened last year as well as this year.

Sorry, I didn't mean to brag. See my previous posts for more on that if you want.

I've read them all though I still fail to see how you weren't intentionally bragging.

 

[angellica]

No no no sweetie, YOU posted in Ethics and Morality which as NOTHING to do with group prayer. You came into the forums where non believers are readily able to post to..well seems to me to boast. If you don't like some of the answers you receive then go post in the christian only forums.

I am not your sweetie. Please do not talk down to me by referring to me with cutesie little nicknames. Thanks!

Please see my previous posts, where I explained why I posted here. I assure you that I did not mean to offend anyone, nor did I mean to boast. I explained it earlier in my posts, so read earlier in the thread if you have time .

 

[Caitlin.ann]

I am not your sweetie. Please do not talk down to me by referring to me with cutesie little nicknames. Thanks!

Please see my previous posts, where I explained why I posted here. I assure you that I did not mean to offend anyone, nor did I mean to boast. I explained it earlier in my posts, so read earlier in the thread if you have time .

ROFL! At least you were bright enough to catch it. Read my previous posts where I state that I read all of yours and still fail to see how you "really weren't trying to brag". K thanks.