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PRAYERS.

The instruction from the inspired Word of God is that we must not pray as the hypocrites do: "standing in the synagogues... to be visible to men." (Matt 6:5). But this conceit is still being carried on, regardless of scriptural warnings to the offenders.

"TO BE VISIBLE TO MEN"?
The apostle Paul said: "I will pray with the gift of the Spirit, but I will also pray with my mind".  (1 Cor 14:15).  He did not teach that we should pray publicly, or listen to those praying publicly with their mind on our behalf. The apostle Luke recorded Jesus' words of warning on this point     that we should beware of the "doctors of the Law" who desire prominence among the people: "These are the men who eat up the property of widows, while they say long prayers for appearance' sake; and they will receive the severest sentence.'"  (Luke 20:45 47
NEB). Gathering together in Jehovah's Name is so that we may partake of His Holy Word. It is not for the purpose of praying publicly "to be visible to men" for self  glorification.

HOW TO PRAY.
"You, however, when you pray, go into your private room and, after shutting your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; then your Father who looks on in secret will repay you." (Matt 6:6). But while many still pray publicly, often by prearrangement, this arrangement is not acceptable to God. In Matthew 6:7-13 we are instructed as to the way we should pray, and is intended as an acceptable model. (NEB). In praying to our Heavenly Father to ask for His blessing upon others, we may only do so effectively in secret. Our spiritual needs are revealed by our prayers to Jehovah God through The Christ Michael His Son. They are not revealed through the prayers of conceited individuals rebelling against the arrangement of God. Nor is there any allowance for mediators between God and man in any location, manner, or circumstance other than The Christ Michael. Only he has been given the prerogative of offering up our prayers and spirit sacrifices acceptable to God.  (1 Tim 2:1 NEB).

In their desire to appear 'holy' by publicly uttering prayerful words while "visible to men" rather than practice works that befit repentance, many who are aware of the foregoing instructions still practice the sin of praying publicly on behalf of others. They brazenly maintain this hypocrisy with every deceitful excuse, that they may appear godlike before the people. They are supported in their evildoing by other men elected to their ruling council or governing body; sitting in the temple of The God claiming to be "a god". But they shall have their reward in full. (Matt 6:5). Almighty God Jehovah judges such lawlessness without exemption.  (2 Thess 2:3-12).

9/12/85.
 


Only conceited men rebelling against the arrangement of God develop the presumptuous habit of praying publicly on behalf of others. It would be wise for you to seriously consider why you would allow such ones, or indeed anyone at all, to pray publicly on your behalf.  (Matt 6:5).

Why do such men need others to hear their prayerful utterances offered to God? There can only be one reason for this, and Paul The Christ's apostle to the nations gave us the answer: That by acting as a mediator between you and God they may sit in the temple of God and be a god themselves.  (2 Thess 2:4).  By consenting to this, you are permitting them to exercise authority over you and act as a mediator in place of The Christ, for they stand in the congregation publicly offering prayers to be glorified by men. How and where we should pray to God is clearly set out in Matthew 6:6-8.

Those who have committed this offence in ignorance may be forgiven. But those who deliberately offer prayers publicly to God in order to be considered as mediators, and know of their offence, or who act as mediators by receiving the personal confessions of the sins of others, cut  themselves off from eternal life. Only The Christ may exercise his prerogative to offer up prayers and spirit sacrifices acceptable to Jehovah on our behalf.  (1 Tim 2:3-6).

Therefore, with all the holy ones, make your spirit readjustment as to this part of the length and breadth of the knowledge of God.  (Eph 3:14-19).

5/12/86.

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