Quote:
|
Originally Posted by DaveMatrix
Although some Christians feel the need to tell others they will pray for them, I do not. This is almost always a turn off to non-Christians and Christians alike, just as quoting scripture and verse is. It satisfies a need in the christian to show the world what a wonderfully good person they are. I must be a good person if I tell others I'll pray for them, and I must be a great person if I quote scripture & verse.
When I pray, I pray in secret. When I give, I give in secret. Sound familiar???
|
Yes, DaveMatrix, it does sound familiar. This was the thought kicking around in my head during my first post, when I said that I got annoyed with Christians who said it because they reminded me of ME, in my Holier Than Thou days. That need to be an *outwardly* godly person, instead of a inwardly godly one, which is the only one that really matters. I had a real problem with that, because I was surrounded by very *outwardly* godly people (including myself) and I could never find the reality in it... how deep did it go?
Of course, if you are walking around keeping prayers and giving in secret, but feeling mighty proud of yourself for it (using the general "you" here), I don't suppose that's any better, is it? I tried that for a while too, and still ened up feeling like a self-righteous asshole most of the time. Somehow, humility is damn hard to come by, no matter what intentions we have... one reason I had to stop with the Christianity all together. I was done with "praying for other people" and feeling morally superior, no matter how hard I tried not to be. How can you not feel morally superior when you think everyone else (outside the fold) is going to hell?