Prayer as defined in Webster’s 1828 Dictionary is as follows:
“In worship, a solemn address to the Supreme Being, consisting of adoration, or an expression of our sense of God's glorious perfections, confession of our sins, supplication for mercy and forgiveness, intercession for blessings on others, and thanksgiving, or an expression of gratitude to God for his mercies and benefits. A prayer however may consist of a single petition, and it may be extemporaneous, written or printed”.
In Matthew 6: verses 9-13 Jesus gives us the example of how we are to pray. Anyone who has attended the Christian church for any space of time, or has been raised with some type of Christian background most likely knows this “model” prayer by heart. What many do not know is that in the previous verses (Matthew 6: 5-8), we find Jesus teaching us how we are not to pray. It is evident by this scripture, that learning how we are not to pray carries just as much weight as learning how we are to pray.
Although we are taught by scripture to pray and are urged to ask God for those things that we truly need and to petition Him for the needs of others, prayer is never to be used as a wish list in order to satisfy our own wants or lusts (James 4:3). No, prayer, as defined above, is a communion with God; a means by which man can honor Him as Savior, Sovereign and King. I must believe that He is pleased with our acknowledgement of Him as our Heavenly Father. Our coming to Him in prayer is the confirmation of our belief and trust in Him. We also realize that to pray to God is to admit our weaknesses and to show our submissiveness to Him; acknowledging by our very actions that we are not in control; admitting God to be the greater; we to be the lesser.
Taking into consideration many of the public prayers of today, it seems that many have not read the scripture on how we are not to pray.
Not long ago, I was standing at the head of the casket of one of my best friends, I had just led the family in prayer before they were to come around and view their loved one for the last time. I watched as a young lady approached the open casket then stopped directly in front of the bier. She very quietly stretched her arms out to her front, turning her cupped hands upward. She slowly closed her eyes, lifted her face toward the ceiling, and then began to softly sway from side to side; mouthing words while making no sound. I have no doubt that this is the manner in which she had been taught to pray, and even if it was not her intention, she brought much attention to herself. As she was “acting out” her prayer, I couldn’t help but think:
• Does God take into consideration the physical gestures of those who may be offering prayer?
• Do outward manifestations of the flesh alter the outcome of the petition being offered?
• Is it necessary to have a viewing or listening audience in order for our prayers to be effectual?
Having attended numerous religious services during my lifetime, I have seen and heard some very interesting things by those who might be leading a public prayer. I have seen faces strained and twisted into strange contortions, as if they were trying to “force” their prayers into the presence of God. I have listened to others as their voices would grow louder and louder until their words became almost unintelligible. Then there were others who would offer long, redundant and often tiresome prayers.
Evidently, the mindset of many is that all these types of behavior are manifestations of God’s Spirit or that God recognizes physical expressions, the loudest voices, or longest petitions.
Sound familiar? It should!
Let us read Matthew 6: 5-8 once more: (emphasis always mine)
5. And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.
6. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
7. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
Thought provoking isn’t it?
Sam Everett
