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PRAYERS.
The instruction from the inspired
Word of God is that we must not pray as the hypocrites do:
"standing in the synagogues... to be visible to men." (Matt 6:5).
But this conceit is still being carried on, regardless of scriptural warnings to
the offenders.
"TO BE VISIBLE TO MEN"?
The apostle Paul said:
"I will pray with the gift of the Spirit, but I will also pray with
my mind". (1 Cor 14:15). He did not teach that
we should pray publicly, or listen to those praying publicly with their mind on our behalf. The apostle Luke recorded Jesus' words of
warning on this point that we should beware of the
"doctors of the Law" who desire prominence among the people:
"These are the men who eat up the property of widows, while they say long
prayers for appearance' sake; and they will receive the severest sentence.'"
(Luke 20:45 47 NEB).
Gathering together in Jehovah's Name is so that we may partake of His Holy Word. It is not for the purpose of praying publicly "to be
visible to men" for self-glorification.
HOW TO PRAY.
"You, however, when you
pray, go into your private room and, after shutting your door, pray to your
Father who is in secret; then your Father who looks on in secret will repay
you." (Matt 6:6).
But while many still pray publicly, often by prearrangement, this arrangement is
not acceptable to God. In Matthew 6:7-13 we are instructed as to the way
we should pray, and is intended as an acceptable model. (NEB).
In praying to our Heavenly Father to ask for His blessing upon others, we may
only do so effectively in secret. Our spiritual needs are revealed by our
prayers to Jehovah God through The Christ Michael His Son. They are
not
revealed through the prayers of conceited individuals rebelling against the
arrangement of God. Nor is there any allowance for mediators between God and man
in any location, manner, or circumstance other than The Christ Michael. Only he has been given the prerogative of offering up our prayers and spirit sacrifices
acceptable to God. (1 Tim 2:1 7 NEB).
In their desire to appear
'holy' by publicly uttering prayerful words while "visible to men"
rather than practice works that befit repentance, many who are aware of the
foregoing instructions still practice the sin of praying publicly on behalf of
others. They brazenly maintain this hypocrisy with every deceitful excuse, that
they may appear godlike before the people. They are supported in their evildoing
by other men elected to their ruling council or governing body; sitting
in the temple of The God claiming to be "a god". But they shall
have their reward in full. (Matt 6:5). Almighty God Jehovah judges such
lawlessness without exemption. (2 Thess 2:3 12).
9/12/85.
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