The Bible

 

Matthew 6:5

Study

       

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.

Commentary

 

Pray

  
A little boy, hands clasped tightly and eye squinched shut, says his prayers.

When people pray in the Bible, it means they are opening up their internal states. When it is the Lord praying, or a figure who represents the Lord, that opening up reveals the Lord's inmost love and intention, and means that hidden things will be revealed. When others pray the meaning is less exalted, representing worshiping God from a love of other people.

(References: Apocalypse Revealed 278; Arcana Coelestia 2535, 2580; The Apocalypse Explained 325 [1-3])