Pray In Private

I have always been continually amazed at how supposedly people who call themselves Christians and pack churches screaming, dancing and shouting and praying
in front of each other when these actions are specifically condemned in the Bible. Do they read the Bible or if they do, do they just ignore this instruction. Humans are funny animals.

Those who want the state to engage in public worship or to have prayer in schools, are defying His injunction:

"When you pray, be not like the pretenders, who prefer to pray in the synagogues and in the public square in the sight of others. In truth I tell you, that is all the profit they will have. But you, when you pray, go into your inner chamber and, locking the door, pray in hiding to your Father who sees you in hiding and will reward you."--Matthew 6:5-6

The above admonition is a key to understanding the true nature of spirituality. Good works are best done in secret. Charity is humble. Faith is personal. A relationship with God is carried out in private, not public.

Just like you don't put a private telephone conversation with a loved one on Speakerphone for your acquaintances to hear, true prayer to your Father is
meant for an intimate moment alone.

When someone speaks to God in public, they are posturing for the public, currying favor with the listeners or readers rather than with God. God want to hear what is in your heart, not what you want others to hear. How many times have you spoken lies aloud into the telephone for the ears of other listeners? Don't do this to God.

Look around you, if you see false posturing and boasting about their relationship with God, you can be sure it is a lie. Love of God does not boast, or preen, or posture, or parade. Public piety is the mindless display of the peacock, or of the pea-brain, or of the pea-soul. it is gaudy feathers, strutting and unGodly squawking, only.

When someone is pushing you to believe as they do, generally it is not to believe as they want you to believe. Look for the money in it for them. Often they stand to make money out of you, but sometimes it is just the public admiration they live for, the prestige, the esteem or the vote.

Make you own peace with God as you know him. Public piety, like false patriotism is a refuge and a pulpit for scoundrels.

Burn into your mind Matthew 6:5-6

Bob White ____