Did Jesus ever wear a tallit?
Not to pray in. How do I know this?
Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 11:4 KJV
Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
Tag Archives: pray
Sweet Hour
There is an old hymn entitled Sweet Hour of Prayer.
I’ve sung the song many times at Church, but here’s the truth, I’ve never in my life prayed for an hour.
I’m not advocating you follow that example. But here’s good news for people like me: Matthew 6:9-13 takes only a minute or two to pray and it’s how our Lord asked us to pray.
Further good news can be found in Matthew 6:7-8 KJV But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do : for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. [8] Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
In Jesus Name
Did you know some Bible scholars don’t know why we pray in Jesus name?
Can you imagine appearing in an earthly courtroom without an attorney?
1 Timothy 2:5 KJV says, For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
When we pray in Jesus name we appear before the Heavenly Father with Jesus by our side, an attorney that’s already paid for.
If you enjoy a more figurative explanation and biblical theme read the book of Esther and search the word sceptre in your Holy Bible. If you appeared unbidden before the King of Persia in Esther’s time he would hold out his scepter signifying life. If he withheld it from the petitioner it meant a sentence of death.
Jesus is the sceptre already held out by the Lord God Almighty. If you accept him you shall have eternal life.
With Jesus as our mediator each and every time, we may present ourselves before Jehovah, the Most High and Holy and live.
Led
Some might say that my writing highlights the negative more than the positive. So following are positive comments on the state of Christ’s Church. They are worthy to be dwelled upon, shared with others, and emulated:
The Church of Christ denomination understands baptism. Both they and I believe baptism is by complete immersion in water in the name of Jesus or in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. We further believe baptism should be at an age of understanding – where the youth can differentiate between good and evil, repent of sin, and understand the significance of being baptized into the family of God.
The Catholic Church accepts confession.
The Amish and Mennonite women cover their heads when they pray.
Russians greet one another with a Holy Kiss.
Endrun
Is it the endrun for Jeshurun?
Deuteronomy 32:15 KJV
But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness ; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
Jeshurun or Israel has forsaken God, not by ignoring him, but by ignoring his Son. In their hubris they believe they are allowed to approach God the Father directly. Deuteronomy 32:18 KJV
Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.
1 Timothy 2:5-6 KJV For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; [6] Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
He is the scepter extended to Jew and Gentile alike. If one would live they must accept him. John 3:16
If they recognize him, the men of Israel can move out of their shame which they have confused with righteousness and uncover their head when they pray. 1 Corinthians 11:4 KJV
Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
You can’t run around our Rock, Jesus, to get to Jehovah. And you can’t get to Heaven relying on your Culture (fatness).
Matthew 23:8 KJV
But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
Change for Ten
I want you to understand my criticisms come from my own Christian walk. As I share them, my hope is they may evoke change, if not on a denominational scale, at least in you the reader.
Over the years I have had some interest in the Catholic Church. I am still looking for a congregation or denomination that I am completely happy attending.
Yet, there are several points on which I disagree with the Catholic Church besides transubstantiation. I do not believe men should pray to Mary or to Angels. Acts 4:12. I do not think priests should be forbidden to marry. 1 Timothy 4:1-3.
On top of these things, which may be obvious to those with a cursory interest in the Catholic Church, they have changed the Ten Commandments. They remove the commandment to not make any graven image nor bow down to them. They then separate the Tenth Commandment, thou shall not covet thy neighbor’s wife or goods into two commands in order to complete the Ten. The Catholic Ten Commandments, I found in Outlines of the Catholic Faith p.51, 52. I do not know if they have actually changed the wording in the Holy Bible, but as Catholics believe much in crucifixes, images, and statuary I am not overly surprised by this brazen and impermissible change.
I hope Catholics will be baptized properly by immersion in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. It is my hope that the saved will come from many denominations. They will be those that realize the errors of their own denomination and follow God’s Word not the teachings and perversions of men.
A Covering
On the SALSA channel I saw someone speaking about people needing a covering. He said he needed to know a person’s covering, who their preacher or pastor was.
I don’t know if this is an Hispanic thing or a left over from the influence of the Catholic Church. I tell you a fact. Your preacher or pastor is not your covering. His primary job is to teach the Word of God including the Law.
1 Timothy 2:5 KJV For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
No one should stand between you and God.
Now if we are talking literal covering. Men should not cover their heads when they pray. 1 Corinthians 11:4. When women pray, they should cover their heads – a simple scarf works. 1 Corinthians 11:5-6.
Prayer
For public prayer in modern churches you really need to go back to the Old Testament.
Isaiah 56:7 KJV Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
Technically I cannot think of a publicly led prayer in the Temple. Solomon led a prayer outside of the Temple and Daniel prayed three times a day towards Jerusalem. In Matthew 6:5, Jesus talks of those praying in synagogues and streets, but overall his comment is not favorable.
There are many verses in the New Testament referring to prayer. The first part of James 5:16 is often overlooked.
James 5:16 KJV Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
I firmly believe the men who get up and pray should pray Matthew 6:9-13. I cannot think of a time in any church where I have heard this prayed, but it is how our Savior, Jesus Christ, instructed us to pray. When listening to another pray in their own words I have to pause and consider if I agree. There have been times when I just pray Matthew 6:9-13 silently during public prayer.
First Preventer
I have noticed not only a trend at our local Church, but one that seems to be popular nation wide. The trend is praying for and honoring first responders. Although fire fighters, EMTs, doctors, and police are honorable professions, I don’t care to pray for them all, especially ones I don’t know. In my opinion prayers and blessings should be first for those close to you. Remember when Esau sought a blessing he found nothing left, for it had already gone to Jacob.
As we pray, there is no better way than Matthew 6:9-13. Let us not forget to honor and trust the First Preventer. He caused David to sleep peacefully at night. He built hedges around Job. He causes the tumor to be benign or never to form. He causes the thief and the murderer to pass by your house. These among thousands of other ways He keeps us safe. He is the Lord God Almighty. He is Jehovah. And in God do we trust.
Forgiveness
1 John 1:9 KJV If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
James 5:16 KJV Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Proverbs 28:13 KJV He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
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