I was wondering about prayer today and read where Jesus says "where two or more are gathered together in my name I am there also" and "go to your Matthew 6 v 6:room and shut the door and pray to the father...
ok, I hardly think one way of prayer is more important than another but I can't help to think that these two kinds of prayer have meanings of their own.
I feel there is a difference between prayer alone with the Father and with another or a small group. I just wondered if anyone put more importance on one over the other.
thanks
Hello Searching.
You refer to two bibletextes. Matthew 6 v 6. Read it in combination with v 5: "But when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the streetcorners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father , who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you ".
Matthew 18 v 19 and 20: "Again I tell you that if two of you agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by the Father in heaven. 20: for where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them".
Observations to Matt. 6 v 5 and 6: The word prayer is used here in a general sense. It can mean : pledging, thanking, praising and worshipping.
The motive of all these prayers shouild not be 'drawing attention to yourself', but only glory to God. The pureness of these prayers is brought perhaps in danger somewhat more by the presence of others. Therefore the prayer must be so inconspicuous as possible. For God also sees the hidden prayer and shall reward it at his time.
And about Matthew 18 v 19 and 20.
It is not meant up here, that if every two individuals came together and asked something whatsoever to the Lord, their prayer is anwered. No: it refers to the congregation of Christ. When there is a situation, that only two members of the congregation, were together and prayed for something, important for all the congregation- members , they will be answered.
Of course the meaning can not be , that two members of the congregation, having another meaning about the course of the congregation than all the others should be seen as 'the voice of the congregation'.
Everything in these two textes is referring to the answer to the prayer, sent up in unanimity by the congregation.
You see, Searching, that there is another background to these two textes than you should think at first sight.
