(October 28, 2012 at 2:57 pm)Darkstar Wrote:(October 28, 2012 at 10:17 am)Stimbo Wrote: Hands up, anyone who thinks we would have been able to know this if we hadn't been told in advance.
Just to clarify: if this prayer group does their thing, in a Universe in which prayer works as advertised, then surely its effects will be recognisable even though the prayee is ignorant of the prayers. It's a bit like the ignore function here in that regard; were I to add you to my list, the only way you can know about it is if I decide to publish the fact.
Matthew 6:5-8
Prayer
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 others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him
They used this passage a lot (almost every time, it seems) during the masses at my old church.
Right and I agree you shouldn't stand on street corners praying out loud in a very loud tone of voice. Rather,we go into a room,shut the door and pray. Not a long prayer. Just a simple prayer.