Reply #4: Matthew 6:5-6 "...when thou prayest, enter into thy closet ..."

[Ian David]

Matthew 6:5-6: "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....when thou prayest, enter into thy closet and when thou has shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret...."



See:

RAYER IN THE CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURES
Jesus and prayer

<snip>

But then he {Jesus} apparently wanted to pray. So, he went off by himself to pray in private. All four gospel writers emphasize that he prayed alone:



Mark 6:46: "And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray."



Matthew 14:23: "And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone." (KJV)



Luke 9:18: "And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him..."



John 6:15: "...he departed again into a mountain himself alone."



Jesus' message, displayed by his actions, appears to be that it is acceptable, perhaps even desirable to give thanks to God before a communal meal. But prayer is to be performed in complete isolation from other persons.

More:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/prayer.htm



He'd better pray for smaller ears!