Lesson 885

(Lesson 885)(01-30-14) Mark 6:45-46:

"And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray."

Today's lesson makes a point about prayer that I believe is very important. The text says, "And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray."

We should make note that Jesus first sent His Apostles on their way across the sea and then went alone upon a mountain to pray.

Nowhere, that I can recall, is there New Testament evidence that Jesus prayed publicly, except, of course, when cried out to God from the cross.

In Matthew 6:5-6 Jesus said, "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."

In direct disobedience to what Jesus said, some form of public prayer is both taught and practiced in almost ever religious ism that is known today.

I don't think there could be a clearer message concerning how we are to pray than this. Jesus very distinctly condemned praying while "standing in the synagogues"! ("Synagogues" by the majority of "Christians" today, would be recognized as "Churches")

There are, however, examples in the New Testament whereas it would appear that some of the early Christians prayed together yet there are no clear examples that define those prayers as having been prayed aloud. We could imagine what it would be like if two or three hundred people all prayed aloud for what was in their hearts at the same time, it would be nothing more than a distraction to everyone praying.

Therefore, I believe the prayers mentioned by the early Christians, were prayed either in private as Jesus taught, or silently so as not to be heard by those assembled.
Sadly, I doubt that modern "Christianity" will ever revert back to the proper way to pray. ~