Replies

In my area, for all the good the ‘prayers’ outside the abortion clinics do, they amount to not much more than exhibitionism.

Prayer can be done at home, in one’s ‘closet’. Money works in the world.

https://www.projectultrasound.org/

In my area, for all the good the ‘prayers’ outside the abortion clinics do, they amount to not much more than exhibitionism.

They sure helped close a powerful abortion mill in Rockford, IL. If they weren't effective, they would not have outlawed them in England. There is something to be said for praying at the site of the offense. But, praying at home or in a church is good, too, and doesn't cost any money at all. We can have both.

Jesus was warning about people being false and praying in public for glory and/or attention- He was warning against praying ostentatiously- Jesus infact prayed in public in front of others- as did many people in the bible-

The pharisees prayed ostentatiously, seeking to be seen as ‘religious men’ by the public- Those praying for the demise of abortion clinics almost assuredly are not praying ostentatiously

We cant judge their hearts as they pray in public- they very likely are doing so in reverence to God and in pleading with God to help fight against those butcher/murder shops

God calls us to pray in many different ways- While He does call us to pray in private- he also compels folks to pray in public too- or in prayer groups in church-

Matthew Poole’s Commentary
By this public prayer is not condemned, but secret prayer is established, and made every Christian’s duty; and Christians are warned not to think that their duty of prayer is discharged by their going to places of public worship, and praying there: but that which our Saviour here cautions us against is ostentation, by which men may as much offend in their closets as elsewhere.