And I saw that, really, not that many people did as Jesus commanded, and certainly the churches of modern day, do not follow what Jesus said, nor do they encourage their followers to do the same.

Here is what Jesus ACTUALLY said about praying in public.  When quoting the bible, I will be using Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition. If anyone knows a more original source, I would be glad to know! I am no biblical scholar, by any means.

Matthew 6:5-7

5. And when ye pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, that love to stand and pray in the synagogues and corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men: Amen I say to you, they have received their reward.

6. But thou when thou shalt pray, enter into thy chamber, and having shut the door, pray to thy Father in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay thee.

7. And when you are praying, speak not much, as the heathens. For they think that in their much speaking they may be heard.

This is what Jesus told us to do when praying

1. Get in a room alone
2. Shut the door
3. Pray in total secrecy.
4. Don’t use vain repetitions.  ie. Don’t just chant prayers over and over as many do.

This kind of ruins the point of a Mass or Church gathering.  If Jesus wanted us to pray in secret, why do churches encourage us to attend mass, and pray in public.  Not only do they want us to pray publicly, they have us chant long and vain repetitions, as specificaly forbade by Jesus.

Jesus Prayed Alone

Matthew 14:23

23. And having dismissed the multitude, he went into a mountain alone to pray. And when it was evening, he was there alone.

Matthew 26:36

36. Then Jesus came with them into a country place which is called Gethsemani; and he said to his disciples: Sit you here, till I go yonder and pray.

Mark 1:35

35. And rising very early, going out, he went into a desert place: and there he prayed.

Mark 6:46

46. And when he had dismissed them, he went up to the mountain to pray.

Luke 5:16

16. And he retired into the desert, and prayed.

Luke 9:18

18. And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples also were with him: and he asked them, saying: Whom do the people say that I am?

Luke 22:45

45. And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow.

Basically, DO AS JESUS SAID AND DID!!!  Isn’t this the foundation of christianity?!

Peter Prayed in Private too.

Acts 10:9

9. And on the next day, whilst they were going on their journey, and drawing nigh to the city, Peter went up to the higher parts of the house to pray, about the sixth hour.

No Vain Repetitions

Matthew 23:14

14. Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites: because you devour the houses of widows, praying long prayers. For this you shall receive the greater judgment.

Mark 12:40

40. Who devour the houses of widows under the pretence of long prayer: these shall receive greater judgment.

What to take from this

Pray alone, in your own quiet place.  Churches, with their incantations and vain repetitions, and public praying, are specifically forbidden by Jesus, and also considered DANGEROUS.

One should think long and hard about whether one wants to follow an organized religion, or Christ himself.

Sources

• Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition Bible.  Retrived from biblegateway.com
• Prayer – Public and Private.  This is where I found the passages to quote.  Also an excellent commentary.