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Q3. Secret and Public Prayer


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Q3. (Matthew 6:5-7) Why does Jesus tell us to pray in secret? Though public prayer in church gatherings is commanded in scripture (Acts 1:14; 2:42; 1 Timothy 2:1), in which circumstances might public prayer in a church service be contrary to the spirit of Jesus' instructions in these verses? How do flowery prayers hinder the development of disciples?

Jesus tell us to pray in secret because he does not want us to be tempted to impress anyone by our piety

Public prayer in a church service might be contrary to the spirit of Jesus' instructions in these verses in circumstances that it is intended to be thought by others to be pious

Flowery prayers hinder the development of disciples in a way that they are intended for our pride, for our benefit, so that they do not result in the growth of the characters of a Christ

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Q3. (Matthew 6:5-7) Why does Jesus tell us to pray in secret?

If you pray in public you receive your reward from men. Pray in secret and receive your reward from God.

Though public prayer in church gatherings is commanded in scripture (Acts 1:14; 2:42; 1 Timothy 2:1), in which circumstances might public prayer in a church service be contrary to the spirit of Jesus' instructions in these verses?

When you pray in public just to receive the praise of man.

How do flowery prayers hinder the development of disciples?

When you pray don

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Q3. (Matthew 6:5-7) Why does Jesus tell us to pray in secret? Though public prayer in church gatherings is commanded in scripture (Acts 1:14; 2:42; 1 Timothy 2:1), in which circumstances might public prayer in a church service be contrary to the spirit of Jesus' instructions in these verses? How do flowery prayers hinder the development of disciples?

Jesus teaches us to pray in secret to keep us humble and focused on the Father. Public prayer when conducted with true, pure motives as well as express purpose is Biblical and aides in fellowship and unity. However, when done for the hidden purpose of self-glorification and to show off, it becomes sinful and has no effect with God. Just empty words.

Flowery prayers can hinder the development of disciples by the focus on words and structure vice the motive and content of the prayer. For example, we are worried about how the prayer sounds vice the sincere content of the prayer.

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  • 2 weeks later...

We are to pray in secret so we can be sincere and honest from the heart. We are to humble ourselves before the Lord. Prayer in church service can lead to praising men and not God. Flowery prayer can hinder a person because they are reperting the same word's over and over, it is not coming from the heart. We cannot grow in our prayer life if we are not sincere. Talk to God from the heart, be yourself.

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  • 3 weeks later...
Q3. (Matthew 6:5-7) Why does Jesus tell us to pray in secret? Though public prayer in church gatherings is commanded in scripture (Acts 1:14; 2:42; 1 Timothy 2:1), in which circumstances might public prayer in a church service be contrary to the spirit of Jesus' instructions in these verses? How do flowery prayers hinder the development of disciples?

We are told to pray in secret because it is then only between God and ourselves and there is no chance to show off in our eloquence or let others hear what we have to say in order to gain recognition.

Public prayer with vain repetitions and a wrong attitude will hinder the work of the Holy Spirit.

Flowery prayers are not always from the heart. Sometimes short, honest, everyday speech prayers will be more beneficial

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  • 2 weeks later...

Q3. (Matthew 6:5-7) Why does Jesus tell us to pray in secret? Though public prayer in church gatherings is commanded in scripture (Acts 1:14; 2:42; 1 Timothy 2:1), in which circumstances might public prayer in a church service be contrary to the spirit of Jesus' instructions in these verses? How do flowery prayers hinder the development of disciples?

Jesus tells us to pray in secret because in His day people prayed in public to be seen by others and it was offensive. In today's church settings praying very loud, that draws attention to you over and above all others, is caused by pride. This should not be. Jesus said that when we pray we are to pray to the Father. When we pray tothe Father we can do so from the heart. Flowery prayers are sometimes done out of pride and this will hinder the development of the disciples.

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Q3. (Matthew 6:5-7) Why does Jesus tell us to pray in secret? Though public prayer in church gatherings is commanded in scripture (Acts 1:14; 2:42; 1 Timothy 2:1), in which circumstances might public prayer in a church service be contrary to the spirit of Jesus' instructions in these verses? How do flowery prayers hinder the development of disciples?

I think Jesus didn't like public prayer so much because people who pray in public are usually not real. That is, they tend to dramatise their prayer when in the company of others. When I'm alone, I am more intimate with God, and I get right to the heart of the matter. Also, for me, I don't need for anyone else to know my stuff-that is between God and myself. I have known people who woulod aire their personal problems through public prayer to garner pity and simpathy, thus moving others to give them whatever they "need". In a public setting, it would be appropriate to pray for fellow saints-we all need to be lifted up in prayer. Strength in numbers.

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We should pray in secret to eliminate any piousness, making our conversation with God one-on-one. Public pray in a church service is contrary to Jesus' instructions when it is lengthy and done to impress others. Flowery prayers hinder the development of disciples because it makes people think that their prayers, usually simple and direct, aren't good enough.

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  • 1 month later...
Q3. (Matthew 6:5-7) Why does Jesus tell us to pray in secret? Though public prayer in church gatherings is commanded in scripture (Acts 1:14; 2:42; 1 Timothy 2:1), in which circumstances might public prayer in a church service be contrary to the spirit of Jesus' instructions in these verses? How do flowery prayers hinder the development of disciples?
because we have a tendency to cover up and hide. we wont truely open up to him in front of a crowd of people. that would feel as though we were being exposed. and then we would only let the surface be messed with. but jesus wants the root of it all, and he deserves it, rightly so.as for public prayer in gatherings, i believe we must first be in agreement with him personally before we can be in agreement publically, with his gathered church.
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  • 4 months later...
Q3. (Matthew 6:5-7) Why does Jesus tell us to pray in secret? Though public prayer in church gatherings is commanded in scripture (Acts 1:14; 2:42; 1 Timothy 2:1), in which circumstances might public prayer in a church service be contrary to the spirit of Jesus' instructions in these verses? How do flowery prayers hinder the development of disciples?

We are to pray in secret so as not to show our piety to others. That is our time with the Lord. The church is for public payer and best when lead by the Holy Spirit. Not for personal, not to do honor to ourselves. Flowery prayers can be a hinderance to a disciple. The words are not from the heart. There is no meaning to the prayer. When we pray, we should pray from the heart, a true and loving heart. The Lord just wants us to talk to Him. There is no special way to pray. Just pour your heart out to God and let Him talk to you.

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Q3. (Matthew 6:5-7) Why does Jesus tell us to pray in secret? Though public prayer in church gatherings is commanded in scripture (Acts 1:14; 2:42; 1 Timothy 2:1), in which circumstances might public prayer in a church service be contrary to the spirit of Jesus' instructions in these verses? How do flowery prayers hinder the development of disciples?

Because he wants us to pray for the right reason. For God to hear our pray not men. Prayer would be contrary when we use a lot of words so that we look good to the ones we are praying in front of. Disciples need to just pray a simple prayer because God already knows what we need.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Q3. (Matthew 6:5-7)

Why does Jesus tell us to pray in secret? Though public prayer in church gatherings is commanded in scripture (Acts 1:14; 2:42; 1 Timothy 2:1), in which circumstances might public prayer in a church service be contrary to the spirit of Jesus' instructions in these verses? How do flowery prayers hinder the development of disciples?

The issue here is not where we pray but why we pray

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  • 5 months later...
Q3. (Matthew 6:5-7) Why does Jesus tell us to pray in secret? Though public prayer in church gatherings is commanded in scripture (Acts 1:14; 2:42; 1 Timothy 2:1), in which circumstances might public prayer in a church service be contrary to the spirit of Jesus' instructions in these verses? How do flowery prayers hinder the development of disciples?

Because prayer is communication between us and God. While public prayer is permissable and even necessary in the right circumstances, we should not be doing it the way the Pharisees did, which was meant mainly to impress others with their piety rather than to praise, honor or communicate with God.

The very formal, flowery, churchy-sounding prayers, full of the jargon of religiosity, while having a place, especially in church services, can be counter-productive to the development of a productive spiritual and prayer life. Oftentimes people may feel that if they can't do it that way, they can't do it right. Obviously, that type of feeling would hinder development of communication with God, and deeper spirituality.

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  • 2 months later...
Q3. (Matthew 6:5-7) Why does Jesus tell us to pray in secret? Though public prayer in church gatherings is commanded in scripture (Acts 1:14; 2:42; 1 Timothy 2:1), in which circumstances might public prayer in a church service be contrary to the spirit of Jesus' instructions in these verses? How do flowery prayers hinder the development of disciples?

In Jesus time, there were some people who prayer to gain public aclaim. Jesus wants us to prayer in the right spirit, so he tells us to prayer in secret, to honor God only. Public prayer in a church setting is needed, however, if one uses flowery words and attempts to gain aclaim for the words, this would be against the spirit we should have when we prayer. Long flowery prayers do not help others as younger Christians may want to mimic such behavior.

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  • 11 months later...

Q3. (Matthew 6:5-7) Why does Jesus tell us to pray in secret? Though public prayer in church gatherings is commanded in scripture (Acts 1:14; 2:42; 1 Timothy 2:1), in which circumstances might public prayer in a church service be contrary to the spirit of Jesus' instructions in these verses? How do flowery prayers hinder the development of disciples?

We learned when Jesus gave us the "fathers prayer" in Matthew 6:9-13. Some tell us it is the ACTS model, where we must first start by thanking God. As long as we have the presence and do not feel wounded in the moment, then reflection on such prayer is the "right thing"

When we are understanding our brokenness from the way we have reacted to life on a daily basis, then we need to open our hearts and ask God to heal us by helping us understand, and be releasing any emotion we have about those life events of thee previous day, or what ever time God has revealed to us that cause us to pray to him. Flowery prayers are not about our real life or things about others real lives.If we pray form our broken heart, then we pray for the truth and God will heal us.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Q3. (Matthew 6:5-7) Why does Jesus tell us to pray in secret? So that we are not tempted to try to impress anyone with our piety

Though public prayer in church gatherings is commanded in scripture (Acts 1:14; 2:42; 1 Timothy 2:1), in which circumstances might public prayer in a church service be contrary to the spirit of Jesus' instructions in these verses? Where the purpose of it, as far as the person praying is concerned, is to draw attention to themselves

How do flowery prayers hinder the development of disciples? Because it suggests that only a certain form of praying in terms of the words and terms used is acceptable to God and many people feel uncomfortable with this which in turn puts them off praying altogether. This is bound to hinder their development.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Q3. (Matthew 6:5-7) Why does Jesus tell us to pray in secret?

to keep our focus on Him and not draw attention to ourselves.

Though public prayer in church gatherings is commanded in scripture (Acts 1:14; 2:42; 1 Timothy 2:1), in which circumstances might public prayer in a church service be contrary to the spirit of Jesus' instructions in these verses?

Whenever the focus is off Jesus and on ourselves we become contrary to the spirit of His instruction.

How do flowery prayers hinder the development of disciples?

It misleads them to think these are standards of prayer when the standard is a contrite humble heart focused on the heart of Christ.

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  • 1 year later...

Q3. (Matthew 6:5-7) Why does Jesus tell us to pray in secret? Though public prayer in church gatherings is commanded in scripture (Acts 1:14; 2:42; 1 Timothy 2:1), in which circumstances might public prayer in a church service be contrary to the spirit of Jesus' instructions in these verses? How do flowery prayers hinder the development of disciples?

Jesus is not opposed to public prayer. What He opposes is prayer said to impress others in public, perhaps with their elegant speech or knowledge of scripture, prayers not said from the heart to God. What He wants to stress to us, is the importance of quiet one on one time with God. The Father and child must have time alone together. It is important to the relationship, their union. As Gods children ,we must set aside time to be alone in His presence to learn and grow.

In which circumstances might public prayer in a church service be contrary to the spirit of Jesus' instructions in these verses? If it is for 'show' and the heart of the message is lost in the presentation.

How do flowery prayers hinder the development of disciples? God already knows our hearts, He doesn't care about our speech patterns. We don't have to have elegant 'flowery' speech to talk to our Father, just be ourselves, He know us! Talk to Him from your heart. It can hinder our development as disciples as we might feel we have to speak a certain elegant way, so we may avoid being a good disciple for fear of embarrassment, or not presenting God's word in a 'flowery' presentation. Thus losing effectiveness out of fear of not being good disciples.

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  • 1 month later...

Q3. (Matthew 6:5-7)

Why does Jesus tell us to pray in secret?

Jesus tells us to pray in secret so that, our prayers be really directed to Him and so that we are not tempted to show to other people that we are praying in order to get their praises.

Though public prayer in church gatherings is commanded in scripture (Acts 1:14; 2:42; 1 Timothy 2:1), in which circumstances might public prayer in a church service be contrary to the spirit of Jesus' instructions in these verses?

Public prayer in a church service might be contrary to the spirit of Jesus' instructions in these verses if in that church we are just there joining in prayers to be seen by other people or in order to get something in return or to be recognised.

How do flowery prayers hinder the development of disciples?

Flowery prayers hinder the development of disciples as many people join not because of conviction, but in order to be seen by other people. Thus, they dont really understand the real meaning of prayer.

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  • 1 year later...

Jesus said to pray in secret.  Often times people when they pray aloud feel compelled to use flowery words and a lot of them.  They pray on and on and repeat the same things.  When one prays it is a conversation between the person and God, or an intercessory prayer.  God knows what we need before we ask.  My feeling is get to the point.  Less is better and speak concisely.  When praying aloud in the pulpit I thank, I petition for others, I thank again, and give Him all the praise.  Simple, short and to the point.  I have talked to God with the congregation on their behalf. We are all in this prayer together.  My prayer time is spent alone with God.  I grow spiritually and can pour out my heart.

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  • 1 year later...

Jesus tells us to pray in secret to avoid the pride trap-praying to get others to notice how spiritual we are !  Praying privately is also an essential discipline for the Christian to grow in his faith.  Public prayer can become self-seeking if we are not careful, although it is commanded in scripture (2 Timothy 2:1) and was practiced by the early church (Acts 2:42).  Prayers need to be sincere-with plain language and not special words to appear pious.

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  • 1 month later...

Q3. (Matthew 6:5-7) Why does Jesus tell us to pray in secret? Though public prayer in church gatherings is commanded in scripture (Acts 1:14; 2:42; 1 Timothy 2:1), in which circumstances might public prayer in a church service be contrary to the spirit of Jesus' instructions in these verses? How do flowery prayers hinder the development of disciples? 

 

Jesus tells us to pray in secret so that God can reward us openly.  Doing it openly, we get the praises of men and that is our reward, which we do not want.

 

Praying with others in a church service can be contrary to Jesus' teachings as one would be tempted to pray aloud and the spirit of praying 'better' would be displayed.  

 

Flowery prayers hinders a disciple development because the wrong motive is present..  

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  • 3 months later...

When we pray in secret, we are not afraid to open up our souls to God for help. We are more honest with our downfalls, fears, needs and dreams. When people pray in groups, they are able to hide from themselves. They can look at others and feel that they are better than those around them. However, in group prayers, people are less likely to hear the soft voice of God talking directly to them. They get lost in all the flowery words and they miss the real meaning of the prayer. They can ignore what is really going on in their hearts. The words just become words to say every Sunday. They lose their meanings and their feelings in the hearts of men. There is no growth.

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  • 1 month later...

I think that one of the reasons that Jesus tells us to pray in secret is so we don’t get distracted by what is going on around us. We will be able to concentrate more on Him while we talking with Him. The public prayer in a church service that would be contrary to the spirit of Jesus’ instructions is one that is very wordy and keeps repeating the same thing over and over again.

Flowery prayers hinder the development of disciples because they are not directed to God. They are directed to the people that at listening to them.

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  • 5 years later...

Why does Jesus tell us to pray in secret?

When praying in secret we are not tempted to impress anyone nor do we need to fear saying the wrong thing or using the wrong words, or expressing oneself in a wrong way. God hears and knows our hearts, even if the use of our words is not eloquent enough.

In which circumstances might public prayer in a church service be contrary to the spirit of Jesus' instructions in these verses?

Praying in public in order to be seen and heard by others so they can see how pious we are is offensive.

How do flowery prayers hinder the developments of disciples?

They get us nowhere as they don't seem to be directed to God Himself, but sooner to man.

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