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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, February 18, 1868

FromReview and Herald, Vol. XXXI, No. 10

PUBLIC PRAYER.

THIS is a question which has elicited no little discussion, and upon which there is, even now with a few a difference of opinion. As a practical question of present importance, it was recently examined in our Bible Class, as reported in No. 7, present volume. A correspondent has just written taking exception to the decision of the class, that public prayer is supported by the Bible, both in the language of inspiration, and in the practice of holy men of old.

In the examination of this question by the class, considerable light was elicited, and we should be glad could a more extended report have been given. Those who do not believe in public prayer, appeal to Matt. vi. 5, 6, in defense of their position. This is the only text they have, and to this they make their first, last, and final appeal. It is so with the correspondent aforesaid. They will emphasize the passage like this; “But thou, when, thou prayest, enter into thy closet,” &c. As though it meant, and might be read, Every time you pray, and whatever kind of prayer you utter, enter into thy closet. And every argument to the contrary they will meet with a persistent reiteration of this language, as if it covered all the ground and admitted of no qualification. But is this so? Let us candidly inquire into the import of these words.

Upon what point was our Lord speaking? To what kind of prayer did he have reference in giving this direction? The context has a bearing in all these questions, and that bearing must be allowed, if we would come to correct conclusions. Now let us read the passage: “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are; for they love to pray standing in the synagogues, and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily, I say unto you, they have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”

Such is the language which is supposed by some to lie like an impassable barrier in the way of public prayer. But we inquire, Was it public prayer which the Lord reproved, on the part of these hypocritical Scribes and Pharisees? It must be evident to all that only the kind of prayer made use of by them at the corners of the streets, is what Christians are commanded to pray in their closets. If there is no distinction, then all our praying is to be done in our closets; but if it has reference to a particular kind only, then that only is what we are commanded to enter into our closets to pray. We inquire again, therefore, whether it was public prayer in which these hypocrites engaged at the corners of the streets. Have we any evidence that they prayed at these places with an audible voice? If such had been the case, the record would no doubt have been that they prayed to be heard, as well as seen, of men.

There is no intimation that this was public prayer; but every consideration in the matter proves that it was not. Bishop Horne informs us that it was the custom of the Jews in the days of our Lord, those who were really devout, and those who wished to appear so, to pray three times a day after the example of David and Daniel. And these were not acts of public worship at all, but their own individual and private devotions. And so scrupulous were they in this practice, that when the stated periods arrived for their devotions, whether they were in the market, the streets, or any other public place, they would instantly cease from their avocations, whatever they might be, and engage in their devotions. And it hence came to be the case, that those who wished to make a show of their piety, managed to be at these stated hours of daily prayer, in the synagogue or in the street, that men might behold them in their acts of devotion, and they thus gain a reputation for unusual holiness and sanctity.

It was this practice which our Lord reproved. He did not reprove public prayer, but he did reprove offering secret prayer in public. There is nothing in his language to show that it is wrong to engage in audible prayer, in public or family worship; but it is wrong to bring our secret devotions out of our closet and make a public display of them before men.

Then what is the kind of prayer about which our Lord is here speaking? Secret prayer. What is the kind which he says we should perform in our closets in the presence and for the ears of God alone? Secret prayer. When you engage in your secret devotions, enter into your closet and shut your doors about you. The language has no reference to public prayer whatever, and no one has any right to quote it on the question of the propriety or impropriety of that practice. But when we remove this text, the controversy is settled; for then we have nothing against it, and much both by way of approval and example, in its favor.