Western wall praying

[theearstohear]

There is no New Testament warrant for a Christian to pray in this fashion. The Lord Jesus Christ warned of public prayers that were made for show of religion and recommended that we rather pray in private.

"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. 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." (Matthew 6:5-6)

While the Lord's words do not strictly prohibit public prayer, but rather a hypocritical public display of religion in prayer, I believe it best to recognize that no particular location or attire is instrumental in augmenting or improving the prayers of the saints offered to the Lord in private. We are all inclined to shows of piety and religious experiences and we must guard our hearts with respect to such vain displays of religion. The Lord hated religious hypocrisy more than anything else (Matthew 23).

Or so it seems to me,
TETH

 

[TCassidy]

1 Thess 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

 

[Dr. Bob]

I have Jewish bloodline (proven by DNA, isn't that odd that DNA can show not just what ethnicity/region in Bohemia Grandma came from, but that it was Ashkenazi Jewish as well?) and am, of course, a believer. I've often prayed at the Western Wall with every group I lead to Israel. I also stand (slightly north/west of the Shrine on Temple Mount) where the Jewish temple was and lead our entire group in prayer - for the blindness of Jews and Muslim and 90% of those claiming to be Christian to be removed so they might understand the Gospel.

I bring my own yarmulke on such trips, as does my wife bring a special scarf for her covering.

 

[David Kent]

• We don't need any special place to pray, the Lord hears our prayers wherever we pray, Praying at the WW is just superstition as is being baptised (again) in Jordan.

 

[Judith]

Huh? Your opening post spoke in regards to Christians, and post 3, quoted above, looks to me like you are still speaking about believers. Was the part in red supposed to be talking about Muslims?

Maybe you meant exactly what you typed, or maybe you didn't. Around here, "equal to" and "no different than" mean pretty much the same thing.

[Insult Edited] Again, I did not say what you said above.

 

[Judith]

My opinion only. I see nothing wrong with wearing the head covering. To me, though I do not consider it a religious requirement, it is a courtesy and a gesture of respect for another's tradition in their land. Honoring the 'My home, my rules' type of thing.

It is much like a visitor entering my home and refusing to take his shoes off at the door. It is unthinkable where I come from, and those who come to our home know this and show respect by showing their socks.

God does not say anything about removing shoes but he does about men having something on their head when praying and preaching. it is not an issue of whether we think it is correct or not but if we truly believe God and are obedient.

 

[Judith]

• We don't need any special place to pray, the Lord hears our prayers wherever we pray, Praying at the WW is just superstition as is being baptised (again) in Jordan.

You are correct with what you said, but that has nothing to do with the question.

 

[Rolfe]

God does not say anything about removing shoes but he does about men having something on their head when praying and preaching. it is not an issue of whether we think it is correct or not but if we truly believe God and are obedient.

[Edited: Insult] Nowhere did I write that we are commanded to remove our shoes (though it is mentioned in Exodus 3:5, again in Acts 7:33, and in Joshua 5:15).

Ed. to add- To be clear, I did not insult Judith but quoted an insult that she launched at another poster.

 

[Rob_BW]

Again, I did not say what you said above.

Then tell us what you meant in post #3. Here are the first three posts, in order. Who were you speaking about in the section which I've highlighted in red? Explain how your words weren't equating a Christian's prayers to God to prayers to Allah.

Every year many, many Christians go to Israel. Is it wrong or even perhaps sin for a believer to put a Kippah, ( yarmulke) on his head and pray at the wall?

Why would it be?

Well I know of one passage that clearly makes part of this sin in 1 Cor. 11:4. Also the wall is used by the Jews in their denial of Christ. I would think it would be no different than a believer bowing on a rug at prayer time to Allah. At best it is setting a bad example making these people think all roads lead to heaven.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

There is no New Testament warrant for a Christian to pray in this fashion. The Lord Jesus Christ warned of public prayers that were made for show of religion and recommended that we rather pray in private.

"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. 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." (Matthew 6:5-6)

While the Lord's words do not strictly prohibit public prayer, but rather a hypocritical public display of religion in prayer, I believe it best to recognize that no particular location or attire is instrumental in augmenting or improving the prayers of the saints offered to the Lord in private. We are all inclined to shows of piety and religious experiences and we must guard our hearts with respect to such vain displays of religion. The Lord hated religious hypocrisy more than anything else (Matthew 23).

Or so it seems to me,
TETH

LOL.....then wait till He gets a load of this Trump Panty Waste

 

[JonC]

• We don't need any special place to pray, the Lord hears our prayers wherever we pray, Praying at the WW is just superstition as is being baptised (again) in Jordan.

I agree that it can be. But simply attributing it to superstition can also be a mistake.

I’ve never been to Jerusalem, but if I were there I could think of no better place to pray for the salvation of the Jews than the wall. And if I were there, I may also decide to be baptized in the Jordan (probably more meditation and contemplation as it would not have the significance of my baptism). I’m sure some would look down on me for that, but who cares? My walk with my Lord is neither their concern or responsibility.

 

[tyndale1946]

I've seen a video, "Satan At The Wailing Wall", that gave me great pause about what goes on at that spot. Google it if you dare. But don't blame me if you don't like what you see.

Thanks Brother kyredneck, I took a look at it and many more connected to it... Just brought further truth to me what "THIS GENERATION"... Really means!... Brother Glen

 

[rsr]

I agree that it can be. But simply attributing it to superstition can also be a mistake.

I’ve never been to Jerusalem, but if I were there I could think of no better place to pray for the salvation of the Jews than the wall. And if I were there, I may also decide to be baptized in the Jordan (probably more meditation and contemplation as it would not have the significance of my baptism). I’m sure some would look down on me for that, but who cares? My walk with my Lord is neither their concern or responsibility.

Jon, you are free do what edifies you. If that's being baptized in the Jordan, so be it.

For my part, I see no reason to make pilgrimages to supposed "holy places." It might be interesting from a historical standpoint, but I would more like to see the cathedrals of England, for example, than Israel. You're probably a more mature Christian than I am, but I'm pretty much a stickler against any superstitions, including those found in Baptist churches.

 

[HankD]

There are only two requirements for our prayer life.

Spirit and truth.

HankD

 

[JonC]

Jon, you are free do what edifies you. If that's being baptized in the Jordan, so be it.

For my part, I see no reason to make pilgrimages to supposed "holy places." It might be interesting from a historical standpoint, but I would more like to see the cathedrals of England, for example, than Israel. You're probably a more mature Christian than I am, but I'm pretty much a stickler against any superstitions, including those found in Baptist churches.

I'm also opposed to such superstitions.

I have made several trips to Shiloh (the battlefield). As i walk where those soldiers fought and died I can get a better feel for the battle (perhaps a more personal feel) than I would sitting on my sofa reading about the battle. It is really a different experience to walk that location, and I don't mean in a superstitious way.

Likewise, to have that opportunity to walk where my Savior walked is something I think would be of value but not a superstition.

 

[Rob_BW]

Jon, you are free do what edifies you. If that's being baptized in the Jordan, so be it.

For my part, I see no reason to make pilgrimages to supposed "holy places." It might be interesting from a historical standpoint, but I would more like to see the cathedrals of England, for example, than Israel. You're probably a more mature Christian than I am, but I'm pretty much a stickler against any superstitions, including those found in Baptist churches.

And that's the rub. Why does all of the doctrinal baggage of the catholic pilgrimage have to be attached to a baptist on vacation?

 

[JohnDeereFan]

Every year many, many Christians go to Israel. Is it wrong or even perhaps sin for a believer to put a Kippah, ( yarmulke) on his head and pray at the wall?

As long as you don't make the wearing of the kippah or vestments a legal requirement and as long as you don't believe that praying in a certain location or to icons makes your prayer any more efficacious, I think the usual rules of prayer still apply.

I don't believe it's sinful or wrong, in and of itself, just as long as you don't make it so.

 

[RedMan1972]

This is an example of why Christianity today breaks my heart. People are more concerned with actions and insulting others actions to make themselves look better than they are spreading the Gospel and Love of Jesus.

 

[Rolfe]

This is an example of why Christianity today breaks my heart. People are more concerned with actions and insulting others actions to make themselves look better than they are spreading the Gospel and Love of Jesus.

Completely disagree with your assertion.

 

[rsr]

I'm also opposed to such superstitions.

I have made several trips to Shiloh (the battlefield). As i walk where those soldiers fought and died I can get a better feel for the battle (perhaps a more personal feel) than I would sitting on my sofa reading about the battle. It is really a different experience to walk that location, and I don't mean in a superstitious way.

Likewise, to have that opportunity to walk where my Savior walked is something I think would be of value but not a superstition.

My apologies for being so brusque. As I said, such a trip may indeed be edifying and I did not mean to accuse you of being superstitious. But I think many Evangelicals who make such trips can fall into that trap. I've visited Civil War battlefields and found them interesting. A problem with Holy Land trips can be that "where Jesus walked" may not have been where Jesus walked. The site of Christ's baptism is disputed. The Garden Tomb almost certainly is not the place where Jesus was buried; more likely it's in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which is a superstitious side show (IMO). I would perhaps like to see the foundation of the Temple Mount for historical reasons, but nothing beyond that.