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Bible Questions and Spiritual Discussion
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corporate prayer
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Why do we prayer in public, in groups?
Matt 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 others. Truly I tell you, 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.
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Ray 09/16/2011 14:44 |
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Bibleman
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09/18/2011 20:37 |
I don't for the life of you know.
however, I do know that the pharisees are a historic example of what happens when organized religion digs into God's word (with, to be fair, the best of intentions).
not that public prayer is a grievous sin or anything, mind you! I'm just using an extreme example to make a not -so - extreme point.
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Ray
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09/19/2011 10:19 |
acts 12:5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
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12 When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.
So, I'm guessing there is value. The fact that it is resisted so in the church says something to me, also. Like the church is screwed up, but I don't know why I feel that way. I just wonder why Jesus said to act in that certain way. Maybe it's just a matter of the heart. Maybe we can go in our closet even if we are in public.
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Marcie in MO
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09/19/2011 20:44 |
I think that passage is more to the point of not making a public showing of your prayer. It addresses people who want to be seen as being pious.
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Craig from Illinois
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09/19/2011 21:27 |
Matthew 18:20 came to mind but that's because I heard it quoted as a promise in regards to corporate prayer. "When two or three gather in my name, there I am in the midst of them."
But I've been subjected many times to an poorly appropriated verse. This verse is in regards to conflict resolution. I'm actually not even sure what Jesus was trying to say in that last section of church discipline.
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Davidwayne Lackey
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09/20/2011 00:32 |
I think the key to Matthew 6:5 is when you pray alone. The hypocrites were doing it to be seen, not an honest prayer for anybody but themselves. They were not doing it corporately, just out loud and in public so people would see them as pious. The second part of the verse has as it's key point to pray alone behind closed doors. That means when praying privately for personal reasons. Jesus is not addressing corporate prayer here. Corporate prayer is Biblical in both Old and New Testaments. It is when one prays and all other pray in agreement on a common theme. Jesus never condemned corporate prayer. Jesus prayed both privately and corporately himself when setting examples for us to follow. But when it was personal, just one on one between Him and our Father, it was always in private alone.
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Bibleman
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09/20/2011 09:55 |
so, it's kind of like the president reciting verses out of the bible?
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Ray
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09/20/2011 13:19 |
Let me tell you why I'm asking. I've been trying to get people around me to join in prayer and there is great resistance. I began to wonder if my desire is misguided. I'm questioning all my assumptions these days, it seems. I think He wants me to do that. It's almost like starting over from scratch trying to clean up my mess of things. That's ok, exciting really. Everyday is new.
I know, resistance to prayer, could not possibly be of the Lord. My first thoughts were of that order. But the words of Jesus are clear and so I begin to question.
Craig, "I'm actually not even sure what Jesus was trying to say..." Or more exactly, what He is trying to get us to "see."
Davidwayne, "Jesus is not addressing corporate prayer here." Where does He? Expand on the idea that this is "Biblical," please.
James, Praying in a group is like the president reciting verses out of the bible? I don't follow you. What are you saying?
Thanks for your input.
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Bibleman
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09/20/2011 16:43 |
basically, the president reciting verses in prayer would be like the pharisees praying publicly for everyone to see - it would be hypocritical.
yes, it's half a sardonic joke, half serious inquiry.
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Davidwayne Lackey
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09/20/2011 22:25 |
Yes James, It's all about intent.
Ray, I will get back to you with more on corporate prayer and why it's Biblical. One instance that sticks out is the Lords prayer. A prayer that Jesus gave as an example for how to pray and what for. This prayer can be both corporate and private.
When I have more time to dig up the rest I will post it. One is where Jesus prayed out loud in public and even said why He was praying out loud for all to hear. It was done corporately to edify those who were listening.
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Davidwayne Lackey
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09/29/2011 22:12 |
Act 1:12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile.
Act 1:13 When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying. Here are the names of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the Zealot), and Judas (son of James).
Act 1:14 They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.
Act 1:15 During this time, when about 120 believers were together in one place,
Ray here is an instance at the very beginning of the Church not too long after Jesus ascended to Heaven after spending 40 days with the Apostles after His resurrection. There were 120 at the house where they were continually united in prayer together corporately.
Sorry to have taken so long. I have had a lot of 14 hour days in a row. Should be home in a few days and will have time to dig up more for you.Such as Paul's letter giving advice on Spiritual gifts and how there should be no more than 2 or 3 praying in tongues or prophesying at a time. These things being done obviously corporately.
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