Wednesday, 1 October 2014

TEACHING ON PRAYER PART I

When it comes to prayer there is a lot of misconception about it. There is a popular opinion among some sect that a five minute prayer won't reach the heavens. In as much as I believe in developing a good prayer life, I also believe we should not quantify prayers. By nature we tend to bloat our egos when we pray for longer spells. Human nature loves to boast about their achievements. There is that inclination to be competitive in all we do. When we shift our focus from The L...ord we deviate. We begin to see and measure things by our standard. We should understand man is a failure without Christ. When our focus shifts from The Lord we begin to create manmade traditions, misjudge pride and self righteousness for a holy living and godly zeal so in Matthew 6: 5 Jesus warned against human ideologies about prayer.

Matthew 6:5-7
And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly I say to you they have their reward.
But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
And when you pray, do not use vain repetitons as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

Let us consider these statements from The Lord. I've come across a religious group who believe praying publicly or congregational prayer is hypocritical. Another believe lengthy prayers are not necessary. It's neither here nor there.
First, The Lord talks about motives not the action per say. Why do we pray? Do we pray to be seen? Do we pray to look more spiritual before men. It is not the location that matters most. Jesus told The Samaritan woman that the time has come for worshippers to worship The Father in spirit and in truth. The place of worship was no longer the mountains of Jerusalem.

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