THE BIBLE PRAYER LINE – Bible Questions Answered
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Bible
Prayer Line Index
https://thebibleprayerline.blogspot.com/2018/05/tbpl-index.html
Bible Questions Answered:
“Why did the Lord object to the Pharisees praying?...”
Sheryl/ Houston, Texas U.S.A.
Bible Answer:
Bible Texts:
Matthew 6:5 KJV
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.
The Pharisees prayed many times a day, and they sought out the busiest street corners to grandstand their spiritual wares. And no doubt they received the approval and admiration of those who would stop and listen.
What Jesus had to say.....
Matthew 6:1-8 NLT (Teaching about Giving to the Needy)
1 “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.
2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you The Truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get.
3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.
4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
(Teaching about Prayer and Fasting)
5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you The Truth, that is all the reward they will ever get.
6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
7 “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again.
8 Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask Him!
The Pharisees had their reward, public attention and approval of the crowds.
Ostentatious Prayers:
Characterized by or given to pretentious or conspicuous show in an attempt to impress others:
Dictionary.Com
Matthew 6:5-8 NLT
5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you The Truth, that is all the reward they will ever get.
6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
7 “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again.
8 Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask Him!
Why did our Lord tell us this story, He told us so that our prayer and worship should be from the heart and not on the platform of public approval.
Closet prayers:
Psalm 91:1 KJV
He that dwelleth in the secret place of The Most High shall abide under the shadow of The Almighty.
Matthew 14:23 KJV
And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, He was there alone.
Mark 1:35 KJV
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
Luke 5:16 KJV
And He withdrew Himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
Luke 6:12 KJV
And it came to pass in those days, that He went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
Prayer:
Acts 9:40 NLT
But Peter asked them all to leave the room; then he knelt and prayed..."
