What is Jesus saying in this verse?

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simpleas

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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. Truly I tell you, they already have their reward. But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Seems like he is saying it is a good thing to pray privately rather than in public places or even churches?
 
It is all about intention. Do you mean to gain people attention by praying in public? Or to be seen faithful? If so, you likely have your reward. I think that this reward is people attention and popularity. So if you dont want to be tempted with pride, youd better pray at home. But if you pray faithfully, for real in public, there is nothing wrong. Just dont seek attention by praying.
 
‘I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling’ 1 Timothy 2:8
 
He’s saying dont turn prayer into a spectacle to make yourself look pious to others.
 
Yes, exactly. But I don’t think he is saying stop going to or praying in Church, right? Read on. The Bible has a lot of verses. For a reason. Private prayer is a good part of Christian life, but just a part.
 
Thanks.

Hearing it at the Lent mass had me thinking that Jesus was actually saying to just pray to God privately since he explains it like “But when YOU pray”, (speaking to his followers of that time)…He doesn’t say after you have been to the synagogue or before you have been, then go into your room and pray.

He then teaches the Our Father as a prayer to God.

Going to church is a good community gathering etc, but maybe it isn’t as important as praying privately.
 
Agree wholeheartedly. …

It is more about pride, about showing off, of how holy we are. Common theme by Jesus - how disgusted he was with the hypocrisy of the Pharisees.

Thus we should not pray to show how holy or pious we are but we do it for the sake of our love for God knowing that everything comes from Him. It calls for humility as we are nothing, and what we have spiritually, all comes from God.
 
Take Mass as an example.

If you are their to celebrate, you are there for the right reason.

Anything other than that, and you are not hitting on 8 cylinders.
 
simpleas said:
Seems like he is saying it is a good thing to pray privately rather than in public places or even churches?
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Ahh, but the Gospels show Jesus praying and preaching in the synagogue, and they say that it was His custom to attend weekly services.

So, it doesn’t make sense to interpret “they love to pray standing in synagogues… to be seen by man” as if it means “don’t pray in the synagogue.” Rather, I would assert it means “don’t pray in a way that’s meant purely to bring attention to yourself”…
 
maybe “your inner room,shut your door…” means your inner mind, shutting off your thoughts etc.
 
simpleas said:
Going to church is a good community gathering etc, but maybe it isn’t as important as praying privately.
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Umm…no. The Mass is the greatest prayer of the Catholic Church!!! At Mass, we have a direct encounter with Jesus Christ in His Real Presence in the Most Holy Eucharist. Thus, it is the greatest source of grace we Catholics could ever hope to receive.
 
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