Praying in Public
By Dennis J. De Haan
When Jesus told people to pray in secret, He didn’t mean that praying in public is wrong. What He condemned are insincere prayers made only to impress people. We may all sense that subtle temptation at times.
A group of delegates from a Christian conference stopped at a busy restaurant for lunch and were seated at several different tables around the room. Just before eating, one member announced in a loud voice, “Let’s pray!” Chairs shifted and heads turned. Then followed a long-winded “blessing” that did more to cool the food than warm hearts. Finally, amid snickers and grumbling, came the welcome “Amen.”
Contrast that story with another scene. A history teacher at a large state university was having lunch with his family in the school cafeteria. As they began their meal, their little 3-year-old cried out, “O Daddy, we forgot to pray!” “Well, honey,” said the man, “would you pray for us?” “Dear Jesus,” she began, “thank You for our good food and all these nice people. Amen.” From nearby tables came “amens” from professors and students alike who were touched by that child’s simple and sincere prayer.
May all our public praying be like that.
Originally from the pages of Our Daily Bread.
Tweet This
Share on Facebook
Digg This
Save to delicious
Stumble it
RSS FeedRelated
ODJ: real success
I’ve been thinking about success lately. As I write, one of my good friends is at the Cannes Film Festival with her husband. Their film is nominated for the prestigious Golden Camera award. Recently, I learned that another close friend is number 6 in the Top 10 Copywriters in the World as presented [...]
ODB: many people
New York City. Easter Sunday, 7:30 a.m. I was the only customer at Jimmy’s Diner in East Harlem when a man entered and approached my table. He said, “Good morning, and God bless you,” left a gospel tract, and quickly walked out. I smiled, appreciating his witness and realizing that God has His people everywhere. [...]
ODJ: colour-blind
The term “color-blind” is somewhat misleading, implying that people with this condition can view the world only in black and white. In actuslity, most color-blind individuals can make out hues of yellow and blue. Only a small percentage of people are blind to all colors and can see only in shades of white, gray, and [...]
ODB: plausible deniability
Answering media charges of scan- dal and impropriety, the guilty politician responded with the plea, “I have no recollection of those events.” It was yet another attempt of a public figure to apply a strategy called “plausible deniability.” This is when individuals try to create a personal safety net for themselves by seeking to convince [...]
Christian Courses
Day Of Discovery
Discover The Word
Discovery Series
Help For My Life
My Utmost For His Highest
Our Daily Bread
Our Daily Journey
RBC Ministries
WarungSateKaMu
Manasociety
雅米
I prefer secret prayer to public prayer .Most of the time I feel like I’m praying to the the crowd and not to God because I have to say perfect words just to please them,this is so wrong.On the other hand during secret prayer I go just as I am, don’t have be perfect because God knows the wretch that I am .
I prefer secret prayer to public prayer .Most of the time I feel like I’m praying to the the crowd and not to God because I have to say perfect words just to please them,this is so wrong.On the other hand during secret prayer I go just as I am, don’t have be perfect because God knows the wretch that I am .