G. V. KILGORE by G. V. Kilgore

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 4, 1875

G. V. KILGORE

By G. V. Kilgore

Prayer.

Is prayer a secret duty only? or is it a duty to be performed, and a privilege to be enjoyed, in public also? Some entertain the idea that secret prayer is commanded, and public vocal prayer, prohibited, by Christ’s command: “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.”

Does this show that the only allowable manner for prayer is to go alone, to a secret place? Luke speaks of a “river side where prayer was wont to be made;” Acts 16:13; if only secret prayer was allowable, or necessary, why were meetings for prayer held there? And why were “many gathered together praying” on a certain occasion recorded in chapter 12:12? But it is said that their manners and customs were not then as are those of our day; that there is no account of any one’s ever being heard praying; that this command of Christ’s does not prohibit assembling for prayer, but it does prohibit vocal prayer in assemblies; that the secret closet means the sincerity of the heart, and the praying must be done silently.

If vocal prayer in public is wrong and ought not to be practiced, why did Christ and Stephen set such an example as they did when they “cried with a loud voice” in prayer to God? And that, too, in the presence of scoffing multitudes. It is said, They were in the midst of a mob, and were therefore excusable. But where in the Bible are such exceptions provided for? Where is the proof that being in a mob is license for doing wrong? Let it be remembered that Christ is our pattern. He knew no sin, never did wrong in the least. And yet his last act was to cry “with a loud voice” in prayer to his Father. Is it not right for his followers to do the same?

If Stephen had understood that Christ had forbidden vocal prayer in public, and if he had always been accustomed to silent petitions, it would seem that in that mob, when he was considerate enough to remember Christ’s command: “Pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you,” he also would have remembered to utter the prayer in the manner he was accustomed to—silently. But not so. Following the example of Christ, he “cried with a loud voice,”

If the closet referred to is the sincerity of the heart, and the command is to pray not merely to be heard of men, or for an outward show, then I reply that a true Christian can fulfil the requirement by praying aloud in the congregation as well as by praying silently. The disciples had prayer-meetings; for they “went to prayer.” Acts 16:16. They continued “with one accord in prayer and supplication.” Chap. 1:14; 2:42. And who supposes that Paul prayed silently, when, after his touching farewell address to the elders of the church of Ephesus, whom he had summoned to meet him at Miletus, he “kneeled down and prayed with them all?” Chap. 20:36; 21:5. He says, “I will pray with the Spirit,” and “I will sing with the Spirit.” 1 Cor. 14:15. There is no question about his singing aloud. Why should there be about his praying?