This morning, I came across a photo of the Pope as front cover of one of the leading newspapers in the country. Quoted on photo are the following words: "POPE IN DEEP PRAYER (AFP) - Pope Francis lay prostrate on the floor of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican as he prays in front of the altar during a Good Friday service in this handout picture released by the Vatican press office on March 29, 2013."
But what does the God of the Bible teach us about prayer? Let's read from Matthew 6:5-8.
5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. [emphases mine]The Catholic church misleads its followers as it continues to uphold its teachings and the Pope above God's Word.
God's Word says that "[whoso] causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: . . ." (Proverbs 28:10). There is no other way but through God's only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who firmly speaks of Himself: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).
