so then the debate begins.. what's for show? whats sincere? When a preacher, any preacher is before a congregation, or any christian in any setting that says "Oh father...we ask that you......... Oh father we thank you for....and dear father... etc etc... "
It's blatant BS. it's a rehearsed chant that is said for the sake of ritual. Any given sunday in any given church, you see the show... So while there may be a rare public prayer meant in earnest... 99% of those prayers you hear in those places, fit the exact description of what Jesus said NOT to do... but hey, who the hell is he anyway...?
Agnostic007 ain't lying. I partially agree with him on this.
Many Christians have made prayer too public. Many of them pray sincerely, out loud, in public to witness to unbelievers through their prayer. But I am not sure that prayer is a tool for witnessing. Prayer is for talking to God.
And I believe many Christians pray sincerely, out loud, in public because they have been taught that is what they are supposed to do, even though Jesus taught both by word and by example to pray in private:
Luke 5:16But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
Mark 1:35Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
Matthew 6:6But 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.
Where I disagree with Agnostic007 is his idea that most Christians who pray in public do it to show off. I am sure some do, but not many. They are sincere, but just misinformed, in my opinion.
And Jesus did say short prayers in public some times:
Matthew 14:19And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and
looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.
Luke 10:21At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.