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When You Pray!

Discussion in '2003 Archive' started by tyndale1946, Feb 11, 2003.

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  1. tyndale1946

    tyndale1946 Well-Known Member
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    In Baptist History a thread was started on Religious Liberty Church/State Separation and the subject of prayer came up. If you would like to follow the whole conversation or add to it please go here!

    http://www.baptistboard.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=16;t=000215

    That being said various modes of public prayer were brought up. I said no one can stop me from prayer because we are commanded to pray in private and in our closet. Even in school if I was still in no one can stop me from praying. Brother Jeff said he agreed and that when we pray we should not draw attention to ourself as the
    manner of some is as I pointed out.

    The following is a reply from Brother Clint and he suggested we start a thread on prayer. Please consider all that is said and we welcome all your comments... Brother Glen [​IMG]

    Brothers Glen and rsr -

    I agree with your points about prayer. Yes, Christ told us to pray in secret as opposed to making a spectacle of oneself in public by praying loudly. However, there are examples of group prayer shown in the New Testament in Acts 1:14; 20:36; and 21:5. Also, the Old Testament has many passages that are lengthy congregational prayers. Two examples that come to mind are Solomon's dedication of the Temple and Ezra's prayer about intermarriage.

    I also understand rsr's concerns about the sincerety of the prayer before a football game. As Robert said, "what do you pray for, that they don't get beat up too badly?" I'm sure that there are many cases of pregame prayers that fall into this category.

    However, judging the intentions of another group's prayer is not the issue of the right involved. My concern lies in the allowance of the free exercise of group/public prayer to pray for whatever the believer has laid upon his heart.

    There are issues that would be quite proper to be included in a prayer of high school athletes, IMO. For example, that their sportsmen's conduct on the field reflect a Christian character, that the Lord help them keep a proper perspective on what the game is, for self control in any anger that may result from the game, for the safety of the OTHER team, for any of their team, schoolmates or school staff that may be sick, absent, or injured, etc.

    Perhaps a thread on prayer could be started in the theology forum for more perspective. I haven't seen one in some time and it is a practice that is misused, IMHO.

    [ February 11, 2003, 01:42 PM: Message edited by: tyndale1946 ]
     
    #1 tyndale1946, Feb 11, 2003
  2. Daniel Dunivan

    Daniel Dunivan New Member

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    A big question to the public/private issue has to do with what are seen as the outcomes of prayers. Are they an I-Thou communication between me and God, are they a teaching tool for the spiritual and theological formation of the church, are they to change my mind, are they to change my mind? I guess I would answer yes to all of these under the right circumstances.

    Grace and Peace, Danny [​IMG]
     
    #2 Daniel Dunivan, Feb 11, 2003
  3. donnA

    donnA Active Member

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    I've prayed silently in public, in court rooms many times. Even bowed my head letting people know what I was doing.
     
    #3 donnA, Feb 12, 2003
  4. Charlotte Marcel

    Charlotte Marcel New Member

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    I pray aloud and silently, in public, in private. I believe that speaking to my Lord and Saviour is appropriate at any time in any place. If you heard the way I pray, you wouldn't have any doubt that it's not something that I'm putting on for show for other people. Just me, talking to my Father, telling Him how much I love Him, thanking Him for all the blessings He's sent me and the trials that he's seen me through, asking him for help when I need it, asking him to help others.

    Doesn't the Bible say to pray without ceasing? like a dripping faucet. I try to pray like that.
     
    #4 Charlotte Marcel, Feb 12, 2003
  5. Thankful

    Thankful <img src=/BettyE.gif>

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    Me, too, Charlotte [​IMG]
     
    #5 Thankful, Feb 12, 2003
  6. Sherrie

    Sherrie New Member

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    When we go out to eat we pray before our meal. The waitress's will wait until we are done to see if they can help us with anything.

    I agree our prayers should not be a show, but I also think we are to be an example. If others see us praying for our meal maybe they will. But in no way are we saying "look at us, we are praying". We just pray without thinking who is around. Its a natural part of our way. I don't know how to say that.

    Sherrie
     
    #6 Sherrie, Feb 12, 2003
  7. Wisdom Seeker

    Wisdom Seeker New Member

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    We do the same thing. The thing about continuing to pray the way you would at home is that it does encourage others who might be shy about it to do likewise.
     
    #7 Wisdom Seeker, Feb 14, 2003
  8. dianetavegia

    dianetavegia Guest

    A woman was crying in our Dollar General and I approached her and asked if I could pray for her. She said yes and I prayed for her needs right there. I think that sometimes you have to pray in places that seem uncomfortable if you yeild to the Spirit.
     
    #8 dianetavegia, Feb 14, 2003
  9. Ben W

    Ben W Active Member
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    That is exactly what Christians should be doing [​IMG]
     
    #9 Ben W, Feb 15, 2003
  10. rufus

    rufus New Member

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    I read once that an older preacher made the comment that if he could relive his life he would spend much more time in prayer than he had done.

    I, too, have spent years studying prayer and PRAYING. To me it is a mystery but powerful.

    A couple of years ago (at age 48) my body began "malfunctioning." All the schooling did not prepare me for that. But PRAYER sustained me. When I was unable to study (which I love) it was as if the Spirit moved deep inside of me to let me know ALL is okay.

    I have learned that prayer is WORDS but MUCH MORE than words. It is embracing Jesus and loving Him with ALL your BEING.

    rufus [​IMG]
     
    #10 rufus, Feb 15, 2003
  11. Jeff Weaver

    Jeff Weaver New Member

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    Bro. Glen

    I found an old (1800) Circular letter on the subject. I typed up the minutes of the Association (whole thing) and put it on line. The URL is http://www.ls.net/~newriver/nrv/mtnassn1800.htm

    The reading is difficult in places, so be warned. I typed it just the way it was written.

    Jeff.
     
    #11 Jeff Weaver, Feb 15, 2003
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