Random Thoughts On ....

..... Prayer.

I've been a member of God's family for almost 50 years. During this time, I've observed different things concerning prayer.

These are just some questions that I'd love to read your thoughts/comments about:

1) I was "taught" that a person should always end his/her prayers with, ".....In Jesus' (and/or Christ's) name. Amen."

Is "in His name" an "acceptable" ending?

2) Many people (especially elderly ones) seem to revert into the KJV verbiage during their prayers. EXAMPLE: "..... O gracious Father, we do humbly beseecheth Thee to draw Thine ear closely to our petitions ....."

Are such expressions intended to get God's attention more than, say, "Father, please hear our cries...."???

3) Are the males always required to remove their hats, caps, etc., during prayer, regardless if they are the ones giving or attending the prayer?? I wonder about that when it comes to when men are facing intense combat, in which it may not be the most judicious thing to remove their helmets.

4) There are some people who seem to almost insist that they bow down on both knees during prayer time. Some will even go so far as to insist that the people fall face down.

Since I'm severely handicapped, it's quite painful for me to assume such a posture as this.

5) Some firmly believe that one must raise his/her hands heaven-ward during prayer because that what seems to be the case in most OT passages that make any reference to one's "prayer posture."

OTOH, I've been in congregations that would frown on such practices as this, probably assuming that any person who did so was some charismatic and/or Pentecostal ..... which would be grounds for condemning them as rank heretics.

6) Is it a sin for a teacher/facilitator, etc., of a group of mixed adults to call on a female to offer up prayers for that group of people?

There probably other "prayer-related" practices I could mention.

I would say that some of the ones I did mention are based solely on "Tradition(!)"

Maybe you could add some that I haven't mentioned, which is fine with me.

Any rate, I'd love to read what you think about any (or all) of the above, and feel free to mention others as well.











Amen!! :thumbs:

 

ITL: Does the Textus Receptus mention anything about "Thy Truck"??? ...... I thinkest not!!! :tongue3:

BTW, these are just "observations," not "Rules that the LORD hast given to His congregation," (although I suppose some might consider them to be, e.g., "Why is that newcomer sitting in my 'RESERVED ["from the council halls of eternity past" no less] spot on 'ye olde pew'!!!!) :smilewinkgrin:

Oh yes, "Thou best NOT be wearing thy trucker's cap when thou prayest for in such times as thou so doest, I shall cut off thy offspring up to the third or fourth generation!!" :BangHead: