Why do we pray in public? When and where is public prayer inappropriate? Are there too many restrictions on public prayer? Too few?

I am of course all for prayer anywhere we can get it, but not just the formality of prayer. The prayers we pray must be birthed from our beliefs and burdens. The scripture says that the prayer of faith shall save the sick…James 5:15. My father the late Bishop W. L. Porter always said, that prayer is a sincere desire of the heart to God. It is not something we do as Jesus stated… like the hypocrites do to be seen of men, for then there is nothing to reward…But when you pray enter into thy closet or in secret and the Father will reward you openly…Matthew 5:6.

Now granted I believe that there is a place for public prayers but in my opinion we give it too much credit to public praying. What is most needed in public is Praise to God not Prayers to God. Therefore there should be according to Jesus in Matthew, private prayers and public praise! See you can pray in private or in public but praise needs an audience in order to be effective. Praise is like a light that the world looks on…Jesus said “let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify the Father in heaven”…Matthew 5:16. Therein is the real message for Families and Churches who cry about a 50 year old restriction…have sincere prayer time at Home and at Church, then raise the level of your light or your praise at Work and at School!

There is no law against a good Testimony from a good Witness!