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christian prayer

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DEJI:
Every once in a while, I find myself in a situation where I am supposed to pray with "christians". It usually happens while am at a church to attend a friend/colleague's wedding(I have since stopped attending church weddings because of this) or while I am visiting a "christian" family and the head of the family(usually a friend of mine, uncle etc) prays for the household(morning devotion). On rare occasions, I am asked to pray. When they are the ones doing the praying, I can hardly say Amen to their prayers because the things they pray for usually at variance with what I know(they might pray for instance that God gives me all my heart desires- I don't think God is obliged to give me all my heart desires.Not all my heart desires are good for me anyway, or they may utter some blasphemy such as mentioning the trinity).On the flip side, when I am asked to pray, I usually can't really pray my heart's content because they would consider it distasteful(if I thank God for my trials for instance-they would think I am stupid or lack faith) or they simply wouldn't comprehend if they I said something like "Please God give me this or that but be it according to your will"(they believe if you have enough faith and harangue God enough, he will give you whatever it is that your greedy heart desires). I know very well that they are very unlikely to comprehend the truths I have learnt here at BT so I don't usually share my beliefs unless someone asks me a question such as "what church do I attend" etc to so most of them are still unaware of my beliefs. If I excused myself when the head of a family that I am visiting(who may be an uncle and as old as my dad) wants to pray, it will be considered rude, some may even insinuate that I have a demon and can't stand the prayers, if I decline to pray for such a group when asked to, it's likely to draw flak too. What do you think should be the best action in such situations   

John from Kentucky:
None of us can tell you what to do in your particular circumstance.  The Holy Spirit will guide you if God wills.

I will tell you what I do.  I follow Jesus.  Thus, I do what He says.  Jesus told us to pray in private.  Therefore, I do not participate in any public prayers, of any kind, no matter what the situation is.

In my family, Thanksgiving Day is our big yearly holiday and get together.  Our tradition is everyone gets in a big circle, hold hands, and the senior male family member (supposed to be me after my father's death) gives the prayer.

I of course do not participate, bow my head, hold hands, or in any way assent to the proceedings.  They think I'm weird.  I do not care.  They all know me well enough to know I do not change when I've decided on a path.  They have asked me why I don't pray with them.  I told them I worship Jesus, and He told me not to pray in public.  I also tell them that the good thing is I don't have to hold hands with one of my brother-in-laws.  Yuck!   ::)

At public ceremonies, I also do not bow my head or participate in any prayers.  Some people around me give me odd looks.

I don't want to offend people or bring attention to myself.  But the bottom line is I will not do what Jesus says to not do.

And, when it comes down to it, I really don't care what others think of me.  With the Power of God's Spirit, I can stand alone.

DEJI:
thanks John. what do you have against your brother-in-laws  :)

Dave in Tenn:
Deji, the last time I was asked to lead the 'prayer', it was at christmas-time several years back.  I thanked God for sending His Son to be the Savior of the world.  Seemed a fitting 'thanksgiving'.  I didn't say a long prayer, and I didn't 'preach' while I was supposed to be praying.  Other than thanks for the food and for the fellowship, that's all I said.

They haven't asked me to pray again since then.  Problem solved?  I don't know.  For me, maybe.

Kat:

Hi DEJI, I'm inclined to think like Dave, because sometimes we need to be in situations that are not so comfortable to our spirit, funeral or wedding, especially when topics arise that are contrary to what we believe. But there are times my relationships with family or friends is important enough that I will go to some of these things, and just do the best I can and try not to antagonize anybody.

We know they are blind to these truths and deceived by the church, so we should expect what they might pray and as you said, wouldn't say amen/approve of some of these things they say. But if you are asked to pray, I think, there is enough that you could find to say that they would not see any problem with. You could just give a pray of thankfulness for the many things that you have in common with those you are with, they should find no problem with that. Anyway there are plenty of other times for you to pray more specifically about what you feel as better represents your spiritual needs.

I guess what I'm saying is that sometimes it's just better to compromise to a degree to keep the peace with those that are not like minded. Not saying you should compromise your beliefs for them, but maybe just be more circumspect/prudent of what you say in front of them.

Well just a few of my thoughts.

mercy, peace and love
Kat

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