How NOT to pray in public.
Matthew 6:5 (MSG)
And when you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for fifteen minutes of fame!
Are you reluctant to pray in front of others? Fear not, it isn’t a speech. You simply talk to God while others listen in on the conversation.
Good morning, Lord. Teach me, when I pray, to focus on You and not the people around me. Help me shut down the enemy’s whispers telling me my words aren’t good enough or that others will think less of me. Banish my self-consciousness, fill me with an awareness of Your presence.
I don’t have many words at any time so prayer is often scripture prayed back to Him or liturgical prayers or short sentences.
Where is the line between pray without ceasing and vain repetition?
Praying Scripture is powerful and often applies to myself and many others on my prayer list. As to “vain repetition,” Melinda, the word vain means useless or without meaning. Prayer requires intentionality, it must be meaningful to you. A repeated request might involve a variety of small but meaningful aspects. For example, prayers for a loved one to accept Christ might include dozens of small steps: godly advice to come from a friend, events that gradually soften the heart, my own responses in difficult conversations, snippets from a liturgical prayer. Hope this helps.
Thanks.