Brian Bielby is one of the guys in my small group. He brought up a point I had not thought about it. I know it doesn't say anything in the bible about this, but I thought it was pretty legit.
He said, sometimes when we pray, we pray "father thank you for (fill in the blank), they've been such a blessing in my life, thanks for building them up to be the godly person they are." Everyone then starts saying "yes jesus" and a whole butt load of energy just comes from people.
Is that something we should do less of? I know alot of it has to just do with the heart; however sometimes it can even stumble others and make em think this is how to do it.
If someone is reading this, can you give me a comment if "5"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 men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in ful" may relate to that?
Is it wrong to thank God for things like that? Definitely no. Brian made a good point. He said that we should first tell the other person that, unless we are just in our rooms praying to the Lord by ourselves - otherwise it may just seem like we are just praying up a show. But yeah if you are reading this, don't think I am attacking anyone. I've been doing this a while.
But anyhoo, my time with the Lord has been getting much more solid and consistent. Now the prayer life. Hopefully my life will be known for a life of petition and intercession.
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It's not just that either. I know I have a flare for the dramatic and tend to spice up words and phrases sometimes for no real reason. It definitely gets people saying "yes Jesus" and what not but it was coming from my head and not my heart. I think that's what this verse is getting at, the motive of prayer. Is your motive that of the pharisees, to be publicly recognized and deemed as 'spiritual' or is it genuinely to talk to God regardless of who else is around you listening? One thing that I pray silently before I pray outloud is for spirit led prayer.
ReplyDeleteBut as for letting others know how thankful you are for them before praying for them, I have neutral thoughts on it. If the pray-er's heart is in the right place, then I don't think it's a problem unless it's stumbling someone else. Since we shouldn't stumble our brothers, maybe we shouldn't. How does it stumble others though? Does it lead them into sin? Hopefully people have a deep enough relationship that they are constantly encouraging each other through their conversations, kind of like our bro talks over the summer.
Hmm me gusta la commentarion :p
ReplyDeleteLately I've been thinking that it might be good to be more cautious and discerninng with our compliments and praises. Personally, I struggle big time with compliments affecting pride, and I'm sure others do too.
ReplyDeleteI feel that as Christians we tend to overdo the compliments because we see how so many passages in the Bible emphasize the need to constantly encourage one another. However, I think that our problem is we have such a narrow understanding of encouragement So we default to compliments not realizing that the Bible includes rebuking, admonishing, disciplining, and way more than just compliments.
I do think these praises/compliments do have their place though. Especially for those feeling really discouraged and ashamed in their walks with God, I feel like there are times when people really do need to hear that prayer of thanks for them, to see from the perspective of others how God's been at work in their lives. I know for me, it's been powerful for me, when I really drop the ball big time, to be reminded that God is still and has always been at work in my life.