Definitely prayer should be corporate and private. Jesus modeled private prayer but he also taught His disciples how to pray. Throughout the OT there are numerous examples of public prayers {the Psalms were prayers turned worship songs!}. And Paul goes out of his way to tell his readers exactly what he prays for them. Therefore, I don’t think you can defend a “private prayer only” view for prayer.

Thanks for reading and commenting!

Matthew 6:6 calls for prayer to be in private. The context is against the hypocritical aggrandizing prayer of Pharisees, but, “when you pray…” – the verse also seems to stand alone, saying that we should pray alone.

Why didn’t the disciples know how to pray (Lord, teach us to pray…)? Sure rabbis traditionally instructed their followers on how to pray, but weren’t the disciples holding regular prayer meetings with the Lord Himself, or did the Lord always go off on His own to pray, up until His High Priestly prayer?

John MacArthur of Reformed theology and diligent Bible study thinks public/corporate prayer is fine, if not required. Dave Hunt, an Arminian and campaining anti-cultist says prayer is to be private. (Dave wrote the wonderful “Death of a Guru” retitled “Escape into the Light”, and is the only ‘high-level’ teacher I know of who supports the private prayer view – what a surprise that he is Arminian!)

Personally, it seems to me that prayer should not be so limited to just the closet. However, every time I hear someone pray, in listening to them, they emblish, drone on, tell God what He already knows, pray about the wonderful study they have just given, and generally pray things for other people to hear. And I hear it from myself as well.

I’ve started to read this blog here and there, and appreciate what I’ve seen, what has been said about topics dealing with Bill Hybels (what do you know, prayer works!) and other offerings (RC Sproul video, discerning the real Gospel). What do you think on this prayer issue?

Thanks, In Jesus’ name.
Mac