It’s funny how people pick and choose what part’s of the bible they will and won’t believe. Take  praying for example and I’m not talking about when to pray, how to pray, what to pray, etc. I’m talking about where.  Now, I’m sure your average run-of-the-mill churchgoing Christian knows plenty about prayer.  After all, it’s certainly an intricate part of most traditional “worship” services observed in every denomination in some form or other.  You start with prayer, you pray for members who somehow are in distress, and you bow your heads in prayer at the end of the service.  Pretty much whenever the clergy says to do so as they proceed to pray to God for the whole congregation.

It all seems consistent with the form of worship I assume most recognize as falling under the prevue of the church “organization”. That is, the when, the how, and the what to pray all fall under the way we “practice” our faith as directed by the priests, pastors, deacons, elders, what have you.  Of course there are numerous passages that talk about praying, who’s praying, what they’re praying, and I’m sure most Christians know the “Lord’s prayer” as it’s referred to.  But, how many of those same Christians are familiar with this passage:

Matthew 6:5-8

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. 

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen [do]: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

In case you weren’t sure, this is Jesus talking. What do you do with that?  How do you handle this passage where Jesus clearly states we’re to pray in secret and then direct your congregants to bow their heads for prayer during “church”?  See why I refer to churchgoers as Cows in the Pews?  For those unfamiliar with this passage, see how you allow yourself to be herded into a behavior simply because you’ve never heard or read Matthew 6: 5-8 for yourself?

This instruction from Jesus on where to pray seems pretty straight forward and doesn’t seem to need any “interpretation” in my mind.  Assuming you understand something new, how does this change your perspective regarding public prayer you’ve experienced in your typical “worship” service?

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. You can believe whatever you want, in no way am I trying to take that away from anyone. I’m simply compelled to point out this apparent inconsistency between prayer as experienced within a denominational framework and what Jesus’ own instruction is regarding where to pray.

While I’m at it, let’s consider Jesus’ instructions concerning giving alms, which, in other words, is charitable giving.  And surprise, surprise, it’s from the same Matthew passage referenced above:

Matthew 6:1-4

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

Therefore when thou doest [thine] alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

Hmm.  What do you make of that?  Think about all of the people who point out what someone has or has not contributed to charity and how it in turn is used for or against them in the public/political arena.  I guess the take away from Jesus’ instruction is that if you’re truly giving to the poor, you don’t need anyone else to know about it but God. To want public recognition, is to want glory amongst men. “Oh, he’s such a philanthropist.  See how much he gives to this charity or that charity…”

So, where to pray? In a closet…  What to pray:

 Matthew 6:9-13

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Hmm, ponder, ponder; what to pick, what to choose…  Do you believe these passages, or not…?