Denying the lord in front of my friends

[Ghhh]

Would this situation be denying the lord in front of your friends? My cousin and friend was at a restaurant and my cousin was like let’s say prayer when we got our food. At first I was hesitant and said no because u thought it would be awkward but then I said alright and we said prayers. I was wondering if this is denying the lord or not. Anything will help. Thanks.

 

[joeybaggz]

I don’t think it would be denying the Lord in the sense of heresy or apostasy. I had a great friend who passed away recently who made it a big scene to pray before meals in restaurants. I was never comfortable with it, but it was more from my own sense of personal belief and not because I believed him to be insincere. I will often say a small blessing to myself and cross myself, but I don’t make a big show of it.
I often think of the parable Jesus taught about the Pharisee and the Publican; one who made a show of prayer, and one who was humble and sincere, though not ostentatious.
I imagine you’ll get a few differing opinons on the question.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

You realized your mistake and said “alright” but yes, the initial “no” because you thought it “would be awkward” in front of your friend was indeed denying the Lord. And unnecessary, it seems, because you then went ahead and said prayer with your cousin, and presumably your friend didn’t freak out and stop speaking to you.

Like I said, you corrected yourself immediately, but don’t ever go around being embarrassed by showing some love for Our Lord, or else you’re just like Peter when he said he didn’t know Jesus (and Peter was worried about more than just being embarrassed, he was worried about being killed). If it makes you feel any better, a lot of us do things like this at some point in our lives, so you are not alone, but it’s still wrong.

God bless.

 

[1ke]

Please get help for your ongoing scrupulosity issue and discernment if sin issue by talking to your pastor not strangers on the internet.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I had a great friend who passed away recently who made it a big scene to pray before meals in restaurants. I was never comfortable with it,

This to me is different. If you have a friend who is making a show of himself, and you don’t like it, then you can still say a little private prayer like you said you do (cross yourself, say a quiet grace etc. ). But it’s not a case of being embarrassed about practicing your faith. You’re embarrassed about your friend being a big show off.

Somebody in my mom’s family would say grace for so long at family get-togethers that the food would get cold, and the other members of the family learned to cut her off and just say some short grace so hungry people could eat.

The OP sounded more like he was embarrassed by the idea of praying in front of his friend, and I presumed a normal 1 minute long grace when I answered, not somebody going on for 15 minutes with gestures.

 

[joeybaggz]

joeybaggz:

I had a great friend who passed away recently who made it a big scene to pray before meals in restaurants. I was never comfortable with it,

This to me is different. If you have a friend who is making a show of himself, and you don’t like it, then you can still say a little private prayer like you said you do (cross yourself, say a quiet grace etc. ). But it’s not a case of being embarrassed about practicing your faith. You’re embarrassed about your friend being a big show off.

Somebody in my mom’s family would say grace for so long at family get-togethers that the food would get cold, and the other members of the family learned to cut her off and just say some short grace so hungry people could eat.

The OP sounded more like he was embarrassed by the idea of praying in front of his friend, and I presumed a normal 1 minute long grace when I answered, not somebody going on for 15 minutes with gestures.

TB
Agree with your post. My answer was in a more generic sense of the issue of prayer in a public place. In the OP’s situation, I think your take is correct in this individual situation. I do also agree with 1ke’s answer that there seems to be a bit of scrupulosity at play here.

 

[misstherese]

Some don’t like very much to pray with others. This is a personal preference. If I were you in that situation, I would most likely feel uncomfortable as well. I feel that prayer is a very personal thing and have a hard time praying with others (going to work on it though).

I don’t think you were denying the Lord, but do remember to say grace before your meals even if it’s just you! My family grew up doing it (the formal prayer) and eventually I would always forget to do it and often have to remind myself to now, but it is a wonderful way to thank God for everything He has given you.