Question about praying...

I *think* that the scripture you're referring to is referring to the old practice of the Pharisees to stand on the streets and pray to show their holiness. It was more for show than because they had a deep relationship with God. The point is that you're not supposed to "flaunt" prayer or any other things you do (charity, etc.). It doesn't mean don't have prayer meetings and don't pray together, or how you pray.
I am very uncomfortable praying in public unless I'm praying for someone or with them because they need it, it's a very personal thing to me, like having an intimate conversation with a friend. I don't like the world seeing my approach and that level of "personalness". I do pray both ways. I pray silently throughout the day or if I'm in a place where people would be disturbed/woke up by it, when the kids are asleep and I'm alone I'm more comfortable praying out loud or my thoughts wander cuz I'm an airhead and can't focus otherwise.
I know I'm heard either way. As far as praying silently being "new age", I highly doubt it, as God doesn't speak out loud to me either and I still hear him.
Gina

 

You can do either, God is asked into your heart, sdo He is around you and in you. Hence you can pray internally if you wish.

God is waiting for us to pray, I dont think He is too worried how as long as we are genuinley seeking Him.

 

"Pray without ceasing".
I Thessalonians 5:17

We are admonished to pray with out ceasing (which means constantly). Obviously we can't pray out loud when we are in various situations. I would think this scripture upheld silent praying.

God doesn't care HOW we pray, as long as we pray to Him in sincerity and not just so someone else can hear us.

JMHO
Sue

 

Instead of saying "Look at me folks I am praying! Look and listen, I am making beautiful Words!" We should be trying to have a personal and intimate relationship with God. What we say in private to God, is not showy. We then are one on one and praying whats in our hearts.

Now, not all people who pray out loud are being showy. But we should be having these private moments with God all the time. Growing in our relationship with Him.

There is nothing wrong with praying out loud. You can pray as a group, lifting someone up, or a church, or just a group up. There is congregational prayer. I have seen even chain praying out loud. I also see all the time one person leading in the prayer for many. There is nothing wrong with praying out loud. Someone will here your prayers and it may lead them to pray too.

But like stated above...praying for show, and praying long out loud using beautiful words is wrong. It is saying look at me. And that is what Jesus is saying not to do. He is saying build on your relationship with God, without out all the show.

I give it the nickname of "shallow praying".

Sherrie

 

I pray mostly silently, because I feel that it is a personal thing. The lord is omni-present so he hears me no matter what. I pray outloud when I'm alone, because I too get distracted easily.
Yesterday morning on one of the religious shows (I think it's the PTL) this subject was brought up. I did not watch it all, but they were saying that praying silently was wrong.
I can't see why, The Lord is always with me and knows my heart anyway.

 

Prayer by its nature is directed towards God. Anything else isn't prayer (loud prayer to bring attention to one's piety and eloquence thus isn't really prayer). I pray silently (especially about the things that I don't want others to know or things others would not understand or things that would sound cocky); I pray out loud (for the benefit of teaching other persons how and to lead the church in forming its words in worship); I pray on paper (allows me to really think about what I want to say to God and to more adequately express my heart, also keeps a record for me or provides a spiritual aid to others who might read it--some really great hymns are prayers).

I always end my posts with a sort of prayer.

(May) Grace and Peace (be yours), Danny

 

MT 6:5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. [6] But 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. [7] And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. [8] Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Our Loving Heavenly Father knows before we pray what it is that we need. I think we can assume from this that He can understand our thoughts.

PS 139:4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.

 

I am experiencing some serious De Ja Vu. I remember answering this question very recently. Too strange.

Well, I pray outloud and silently. I pray whenever I think of it, which is pretty often. I prefer to pray aloud because I remember reading something about that in the Bible, but since God knows my thoughts, and he knows what I'm going to pray before I even know...I think it's fine to pray silently when prayer aloud isn't appropriate. (Like when I'm lying in bed with my sleeping husband)

Laurenda

 

I believe it is important how you pray. It should be done with reverence and thanksgiving. I pray aloud and silently. I pray more often silently but enjoy praying aloud the most probably.

 

My response to that question is (having not read anything else of anyone else's posts) is:

Should we eatgood meals or sleep every night?

 

Uuuuuh, yes?
Laurenda

 

Prayer is an attitude as much as it is a verbalization of our thoughts. It is in this sense that we are told to "pray without ceasing", always in the attitude or prayerfulness.

Cheers,

Jim