QUESTIONS ABOUT PRAYER??

Is there anything taught in scripture requiring us to "bow our heads and close our eyes" when we pray?  Is there an example of such to be found in the OT or NT?  Can you find any instruction or command for someone "to lead us" (perhaps an entire congregation of saints) in a public prayer? Is there any teaching for such a practice? Or, can we find an example of it?

Prayer, so it seems to me, to be one of the most individual and true personal acts that a child of God can engage in, especially when it is compared with group praying, where someone attempts "to lead us while we pray". And this forming a circle around a campfire or when gathered in ones home and each one in turn prays his/her own pray aloud, seems very strange and foreign to the scriptures.

It seems to me that prayer is more of an individual privilege, maybe even a family practice, but not a "public" affair. Praying aloud over the radio or on a TV program seems to be totally out of place and is not the time to be addressing our Heavenly Father as we quote to Him all the scriptures and wax eloquent concerning all of the things we want Him to tend to. Reminds me of the prayer of the old Pharisee, who prayed aloud so as to be seen and heard by others, demonstrating to all how pious and "righteous" he was.

I have misgivings about praying aloud in a public eating establishment. Also, prayers at a football game, baseball game, boxing matches and in public schools (which are being legally forced out by certain opposers of God, as well as against prayer), at a civic club meeting, "to daily open up meetings of Congress", and especially as one of the so-called required "five-acts of public worship" in the Church "Worship Service". Where did the idea originate with, that a public prayer is one of the required "five-acts of worship"? This vital and important subject needs some renewed objective study as to what God requires!

No question about it, God's children should be motivated, sincerely dedicated to be a praying people. Prayer is not a ritual nor a rite; it is 'right' of a child of God to talk to his/her Father who art in Heaven, as we individually "take it to the Lord God in prayer". Also

I know of no passage that even hints that we have a right to pray to the Lord Jesus directly. Jesus himself taught his disciples how to pray; "Pray then, in this manner; "Our Father who art in Heaven...."

It is the Father, to whom we go to, when we pray. There is no one who stands between the child of God and his/her Heavenly Father. We are told that Jesus is our "way" to the Father, the Holy Spirit is to be our intercessor in prayer, but neither of them, are to be prayed to. Frankly, I have never heard of any passage that indicates that God's children are to pray by "having a little talk with Jesus"!

There is a song we seldom sing titled "Pray All The Time". We need to heed these words of poetic wisdom.... "The world has lost the right of prayer, And saints have failed to pray; What loss sustained beyond repair! How blind of heart are they!" 2nd verse; "The Father speaketh in His word - He talks no other way! And to converse with Him our Lord. We must take time to pray." 3rd verse; There is no trial grief or pain, No moment of the of the day, But that we may in Jesus name incline our souls and pray"! Chorus; "Pray in the morning, pray in the noontime,

Pray in the evening, Pray anytime; Pray when your happy, Pray when in  sorrow, Pray when your tempted, Pray all the time".

Let us truly use the right, yea the privilege, to talk to our Father in Heaven. Let us not misuse nor abuse this glorious source or power and help that God has given to us, His blessed children.

Yours for Truth and Freedom...... Horace Hooper