How do I deal with friends wanting me to join various prayer groups?
Question:
I sure can use your help. I have friends who keep wanting me to join this or that prayer group. They send attachments to many websites that call for prayer on various subjects. I tell them I pray for many of these subjects, but I do it on my own.
Answer:
"When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you" (Matthew 6:5-6).
It is one thing to be a part of a group where people mention those in need of prayers. It is another thing to be a part of a group where people send out their prayers for everyone to see. Whether they realize it or not, the latter group is putting their religion on display.
One of the nice things about email and posts is that you don't have to respond. If someone posts something to me that I don't want on my newsfeed, I delete it. I don't explain. I just remove it. If someone sends me an email about something I don't want to be bothered with, I delete it. If they repeatedly do so, I have my email system automatically file their notes in the Junk box. You don't have to explain your choices and if someone does press (which rarely happens), then use it as a teaching opportunity and cite Jesus' statement on prayer.
