What did He mean?

[Goodpasture]

Originally Posted by StirringWaters

There were times Jesus prayed aloud.

I can't recall one, off hand. Now, there were occasions that he "Blessed" something, like the loaves and fish. He often "spoke" when he commanded the waves to be still or when he commanded Lazarus to come forth.........but the only prayers I recall is when he was alone.....such as in the Garden of Gethsemane.

[StirringWaters]

Originally Posted by Goodpasture

I can't recall one, off hand. Now, there were occasions that he "Blessed" something, like the loaves and fish. He often "spoke" when he commanded the waves to be still or when he commanded Lazarus to come forth.........but the only prayers I recall is when he was alone.....such as in the Garden of Gethsemane.

He prayed aloud once so others would believe Him. Hmm...don't bash me upside the head, but I couldn't give you chapter and verse. lol

I don't pray out loud. When it's mealtime, I tell my kids to remember to thank the Lord for providing.

Good conversation...thanks for working through this with me, Goodpasture...I'm sure I will learn something from this...no doubt.

[Goodpasture]

When I preached, I often used the "lords prayer" as an example of what NOT to do..........

Matthew 9 "This, then, is how you should pray:

Notice, it is how you SHOULD pray, not "What you should Pray" yet church after church after church recites this "prayer" on a weekly basis.

This prayer is like a recipe. Just like a recipe that tells you how to make something. The recipe is NOT the something you want to make, just the instructions on how to make it. "Praying" the "Lords Prayer" is the " babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words." Can you imagine going to someones house for dinner and when you get there and you are seated at the table, they hand you a recipe and tell you to enjoy it? Yet church after church offers God the same recipe Sunday after Sunday as though it is palatable.

[firstborn888]

I can relate a personal experience concerning this.

After God rescued me from absolute darkness and misery and depression I fasted a lot just to keep the flesh weak and feel closer to God. When finally asked to sing at a church meeting I was terrified as I was beaten down my whole life and had absolutely no desire to get up in front of a bunch of people.

When I sang though it was like God just permeated the atmosphere and everyone was aware of it. I was baffled and a little embarrassed but I went on into over thirty years of singing in various Christian gatherings.

After taking that on as my identity and security and self-worth though - the anointing wasn't nearly as strong as in the early days. Yet - I would hear 2nd hand reports from friends talking to those who were around in the early days "When he opens his mouth the presence of God fills the room".

My current friends however were aware that it wasn't the case anymore as I had more than my share of worship services that had 'bombed'

That's when I realized that in my early innocence and closet fasting (and insecurity) God had indeed 'rewarded me openly'. As I grew more 'professional' in my approach - I HAD my reward (technically correct but 'dead' worship services)

[Goodpasture]

Originally Posted by firstborn888

I can relate a personal experience concerning this.

After God rescued me from absolute darkness and misery and depression I fasted a lot just to keep the flesh weak and feel closer to God. When finally asked to sing at a church meeting I was terrified as I was beaten down my whole life and had absolutely no desire to get up in front of a bunch of people.

When I sang though it was like God just permeated the atmosphere and everyone was aware of it. I was baffled and a little embarrassed but I went on into over thirty years of singing in various Christian gatherings.

After taking that on as my identity and security and self-worth though - the anointing wasn't nearly as strong as in the early days. Yet - I would hear 2nd hand reports from friends talking to those who were around in the early days "When he opens his mouth the presence of God fills the room".

My current friends however were aware that it wasn't the case anymore as I had more than my share of worship services that had 'bombed'

That's when I realized that in my early innocence and closet fasting (and insecurity) God had indeed 'rewarded me openly'. As I grew more 'professional' in my approach - I HAD my reward (technically correct but 'dead' worship services)

Wado..........Thank you