The Contemporary Pharisaical Religious Attitude of Prayer

 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray to stand in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others… (Matthew 6:5).

The Pentecostal, charismatic and similar movements in the church have changed the basic idea and aim of prayer. These movements believe that prayer is simply a means to experience charismatic experience. The force with which these movements are operating and infiltrating the orthodox churches is eroding the real purpose of prayer in the entire church. The act of prayer in the contemporary church is becoming more and more characterised by the quest simply for a charismatic experience.

The Pharisees were religiously prayerful people but their prayers had no spiritual value because they were ill-motivated. In like manner, prayer as an act in the contemporary church has become an object of worship. The desperation and celebration of charismatic experience in the contemporary church have blurred the ultimate purpose of prayer. People pray simply to show off their religious devotion and also gain glory para venture they are able to have any charismatic experience.

While the experience of supernatural power through prayer is possible and good it is not meant to be the sole reason for prayer. Prayer as a Christian activity is an act of dependence on God. To pray is to admit human weaknesses and limitations. It could also be an acknowledgement of God’s faithfulness and his steadfast love in appreciation. 

Prayer is meant to keep us united and close to God. It is the fundamental way we relate to God. It is a line of communication that practically sustain man’s relationship with God. A life of prayer in itself is a life of miracle. Through it, God's will is revealed and done in and through our lives. There can be no greater miracle to seek than prayer itself because by it God works in and through us.