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NASB | Matthew 6:5 ¶ "When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 6:5 ¶ "Also, when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to pray [publicly] standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets so that they may be seen by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full. |
Bible Question: i dont have a verse but i have alway prayed in my head ,someone told me that the lord will not hear that prayer . that i need to say it out loud. is one better than the other |
Bible Answer: Hi Mike! This is a great question, one I have been looking into as well. I read through the response from Azure (thank you for taking the time to respond!) but I am still searching for the answer. I read the scriptures referenced, but did not find the foundation for her response there - in Matthew 6:5-8, Jesus describes how not to pray - as a hypocrite - praying loudly on the street corners so that they might look righteous, so everyone can see how faithful they are - that is not what prayer is for. Jesus goes on to give us the proper way to pray - in private, or "secret" in our "closet" so that our prayer is between the Lord and us - but no where does it say to pray in your mind OR out loud - but to simply pray in private. The next scripture - Luke 18:9-14, is where Jesus describes the prayers of two individuals, the pharisee and the tax collector - the pharisee is praying "about himself" and is placing himself above the tax collector -(standing in judgment of) whereas the tax collector prays a prayer of repentance- and so he went home "justified before God." Scripture does not clarify whether either man prayed out loud or in his mind. Though the message is clear regarding your heart in prayer. So I am still left thoughtful - whether to pray out loud or in my mind -though I believe that the prayer spoken out loud carries power with it - because the words you speak are powerful, and when you speak God's Word out loud you are speaking with power and authority - an authority we are all granted but have to use - We edify those around us as well when we pray out loud - there is a time for privacy, and there is a time for edification of others. Edification comes in many forms - and your friend, Mike - I do not see as putting a stumbling block in your path - but gave you the opportunity to research your own personal faith, and get deeper into the Word - so no matter if you are in agreement with him or not, you are edified by your research! |