Offering Prayer to Others
The bible says:
Matthew 6:5
"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
If we should pray behind closed doors is it still okay to tell someone that you will pray for them? Is that a slippery slope that depends on the intent of the individual?
Strictly speaking from reading the above verse it seems like we should keep that private. Obviously it would be wrong if you are telling someone you will pray for them so they will see how good a Christian you are but you never know how an individual will take your declaration of prayer. They may take it in a way unintended.
I ask because today I told someone that I would pray for them and I immediately thought of Mat 6. This person was not a Christian but he was feeling very ill so I offered my prayer.
Anyway it got me thinking....
The bible says:
Matthew 6:5
"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
If we should pray behind closed doors is it still okay to tell someone that you will pray for them? Is that a slippery slope that depends on the intent of the individual?
Strictly speaking from reading the above verse it seems like we should keep that private. Obviously it would be wrong if you are telling someone you will pray for them so they will see how good a Christian you are but you never know how an individual will take your declaration of prayer. They may take it in a way unintended.
I ask because today I told someone that I would pray for them and I immediately thought of Mat 6. This person was not a Christian but he was feeling very ill so I offered my prayer.
Anyway it got me thinking....