file: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db940126.TXT
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          OUR DAILY BREAD                     Wednesday, January 26, 1994
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          READ:  Matthew 6:5-8

                                  PRAYING IN PUBLIC

                           When you pray, you shall not be
                                like the hypocrites.
                                    --Matthew 6:5

          When  Jesus  told people to pray in secret, He didn't  mean  that
          praying  in  public is wrong.  What He  condemned  are  insincere
          prayers  made  only  to impress people.  We may  all  sense  that
          subtle temptation at times.

          A  group  of delegates from a Christian conference stopped  at  a
          busy  restaurant for lunch and were seated at  several  different
          tables around the room.  Just before eating, one member announced
          in a loud voice, "Let's pray!"  Chairs shifted and heads  turned.
          Then followed a long-winded "blessing" that did more to cool  the
          food  than  warm hearts.  Finally, amid snickers  and  grumbling,
          came the welcome "Amen."

          Contrast  that story with another scene.  A history teacher at  a
          large  state university was having lunch with his family  in  the
          school cafeteria.  As they began their meal, their little 3-year-
          old cried out, "O Daddy, we forgot to pray!"  "Well, honey"  said
          the man "would you pray for us?"  "Dear Jesus," she began, "thank
          You  for our good food and all these  nice  people.  Amen."  From
          nearby tables came "amens" from professors and students alike who
          were touched by that child's simple and sincere prayer.

          May all our public praying be like that.

          Author:  Dennis J. De Haan

                        Though lines to heaven should ever be
                           Attuned to praying ceaselessly,
                         Let's take that extra special care
                        To guard our words in public prayer.
                                        --HGB

          THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
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          If we pray to catch the ear of man, we can't expect to reach  the
          ear of God.

          THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Job 35-37

          
          
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