so what does matthew chapter 6 5-6 mean?

[James]

So what does matthew chapter 6 5-6 mean? and more specifically in its relation to modern communication like facebook, twitter etc?

My understanding of the bible quote is that praying should be done in private and that public praying yields no rewards other than the obvious announcing to the world you are christian. so does this mean that people should stop posting prayers on facebook and twitter because it yields no rewards other than announcing your a christian?


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.

[implumbus]

Jesus is not talking about the physical act of prayer...its the heart...the pharisees prayed on the corners to people would see them and they thought it made them look good.....does this happen today...all the time...in prayer meetings...in church...on facebook...some people pray things with the mindset it looks good...its human nature...we all wanna look good....

Jesus came to address the issues of selfishness that we all have and te renew our minds with the truth.....

if you wanna pray on a street corner ..its ok....just make sure your heart is with God...and your prayers are for others...and you are seeking Him as an intercessor...not as a performer...

[Vulgararmy604]

Are they wanting to be seen by others or sharing their ideas in prayer? I doubt if you can tell that but they can.

[title978]

jesus is using it as a metaphor

he does not mean literally do not pray in public

the hypocrites are not sincere when they pray
they are doing it to make them self look good to show off

pray not trying to show off to draw attention to your self

[Greg F]

The point is the motive of the heart, not the location of the prayer. Christ prayed in public, Paul prayed in public. If all you look at is this one passage you may think that the point is to pray in this way but scripture says so much more about prayer. Keep studying all the word of God, not just one passage.

[Kris Lantijn]

If Jesus would have remained behind closed doors, no one would have heard him.

And he said unto them, Is a lamp brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a lampstand?
Mark 4.21

Religion shouldn't become a show. It's a means to guide people towards the Absolute Truth.

[immenseshop482]

James, this a principle to go on. There is nothing wrong with a spiritual brother or sister going on facebook for example and offering to say a prayer, as long as that is what they say ie: I am going to say a prayer for you. This is not the same as how Christendom behaves. When all world religions get together and let the nation see them praying - now that is going against our Creator!

However, when some actually write out a prayer and then writes amen after, that is also not good, because it is another way of showing off!

Also what is right, is when one is at their church because the priest who is saying the prayer is for the whole congregation. Just like Jesus often did. In fact, he is our exemplar on how things should be done.

[i am Sirius]

Each moment is new, a sacred happening that cannot be "judged" by any indivudual as this or that, black or white or even gray. A collective prayer can be a heart event or a show event. We are to be in the moment, aligned with Creator/Source in the freshness of Her/His movement in our hearts. Some will be aligned in this oneness, while others have not yet "realized" oneness. Nothing in the outer holds the wisdom of the heart. Only at the heart altar can we enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Prayer has no list that comes from a handbook of do's and don't's. Only an individual can know his or her own heart, as does Our Father/Mother/Source.

Matthew 6:5-6 is speaking of hypocritical prayer, showmanship, empty-hearted prayer. Surely it was not intended to preclude collective prayer that arises in community aligned with God/Source. There is, in fact, a powerful momentum that arises when "two or more are gathered in His name," a great surge of Love that is expressed. Of course, individual prayer is a harmonious communion with God/Source, too. All true-hearted prayer unites.

i am Sirius

[C.C. A.]

Read Luke 18:9-14 about the pharisee and the tax collector.

[Servant A]

You are right, men/women/churches/religions try to make the words spoken by Jesus say what they want them to say, so that the words agree with their own sence of righteousness. You know what the words spoken by Jesus mean in your heart, but will you do as Jesus COMMANDED you or will you do as the churches command you?

Jesus said,
When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. Matt 13:19 (KJV)