Required reading
Thoughts on public prayer by Samuel Miller (Available from Amazon or free here) - Conclude Chapter 2 by reading up to the heading 'Prayers in an unknown tongue'.
My summary
This week Miller looks at different superstitious beliefs in relation to corporate prayers.
Miller gives reasons for, and then dismisses:
(i) praying toward the east;
(ii) prayers for the dead;
(iii) prayers to the saints and to the virgin Mary.
What grabbed me
I liked Miller's comment about praying to other creatures: 'Nothing is more clearly laid down in the inspired oracles than that God is the only proper object of religious worship; that all prayer addressed to creatures is idolatry; and that this is not only a departure from that which is right, but has been pronounced by a God of infinite holiness to be an aggravated sin in the sight of Him who has declared that he will not give his glory to another. Are saints in glory omniscient or omnipresent? Can they hear our prayers? Can they help us if they did hear them? And is not every such prayer a virtual insult to Him who has proclaimed himself the only Mediator between God and man; and who has commanded us to ask for every thing in the name of Christ, and to rely for audience and acceptance only on his atoning sacrifice and prevalent intercession?'
Prayer to anyone other than God is idolatry.
Next week's reading
Conclude Chapter 2.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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