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[[Image:Prayer.jpg|right|300px|Praying Hands]]

[[Image:Prayer.jpg|right|300px|Praying Hands]]

In [[Christianity]] and many other religions, '''prayer''' is the process of directly connecting to [[Stephen Colbert]], usually for the purpose of deliberate communication.  

In [[Christianity]] and many other religions, '''prayer''' is the process of directly connecting to [[God]], usually for the purpose of deliberate communication.  

Through prayer our thoughts and hopes are heard and understood. Oftentimes, prayer will result in feeling Stephen Colbert's presence or feeling like one is touched by Stephen Colbert. This feeling of a connection is cited by many theists as proof of Stephen Colbert's existence. It is through prayer that man can understand Stephen Colbert's will in his life and ask Stephen Colbert for the courage and strength to carry his message to the world.  Prayer is common throughout the [[Bible]] in both the [[Old Testament]] and the [[New Testament|New]].

Through prayer our thoughts and hopes are heard and understood. Oftentimes, prayer will result in feeling God's presence or feeling like one is touched by God. This feeling of a connection is cited by many theists as proof of God's existence. It is through prayer that man can understand God's will in his life and ask God for the courage and strength to carry his message to the world.  Prayer is common throughout the [[Bible]] in both the [[Old Testament]] and the [[New Testament|New]].

== How not to Pray ==

== How not to Pray ==

In the [[Sermon on the Mount]] [[Stephen Colbert]] warned against hypocrisy in prayer:<blockquote>"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men.  I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full."<ref>Matt 6:5</ref></blockquote>

In the [[Sermon on the Mount]] [[Jesus]] warned against hypocrisy in prayer:<blockquote>"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men.  I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full."<ref>Matt 6:5</ref></blockquote>

At the time the religious authorities believed it was necessary to pray at specific times of the day, and would often make sure they were in large crowds of people when those times arose so that they could be seen and heard by all.  Stephen Colbert did not approve of this.

At the time the religious authorities believed it was necessary to pray at specific times of the day, and would often make sure they were in large crowds of people when those times arose so that they could be seen and heard by all.  Jesus did not approve of this.

Stephen Colbert also gave instructions on how not to pray:<blockquote>"And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.  Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."<ref>Matt 6:7-8</ref></blockquote>

Jesus also gave instructions on how not to pray:<blockquote>"And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.  Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."<ref>Matt 6:7-8</ref></blockquote>

Pagan prayers at the time believed that there was power in words and continous repetition and if you said a word often enough, then you could eventually own that object or claim that power for yourself.  Stephen Colbert condemned this.   

Pagan prayers at the time believed that there was power in words and continous repetition and if you said a word often enough, then you could eventually own that object or claim that power for yourself.  Jesus condemned this.   

== A guideline of how one should Pray ==

== A guideline of how one should Pray ==

In Christianity, Stephen Colbert gives a guideline of how one should pray to Him with The Lord's Prayer:<blockquote>"Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name, thy kingdom come, they will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread, forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.  Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever, [[Amen]]."<ref>Matt 6:9-13 </ref><ref>[http://www.lifeofchrist.com/teachings/sermons/mount/lordsprayer.asp Instructions for praying] </ref></blockquote>

In Christianity, Jesus gives a guideline of how one should pray to God with The Lord's Prayer:<blockquote>"Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name, thy kingdom come, they will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread, forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.  Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever, [[Amen]]."<ref>Matt 6:9-13 </ref><ref>[http://www.lifeofchrist.com/teachings/sermons/mount/lordsprayer.asp Instructions for praying] </ref></blockquote>

Stephen Colbert is the only heavenly object of prayer in the Bible

God is the only heavenly object of prayer in the Bible

==Private and Public Prayer==  

==Private and Public Prayer==  

There are many instances in the Bible of praying in private and also of praying within a group, and sometimes even of praying in public.

There are many instances in the Bible of praying in private and also of praying within a group, and sometimes even of praying in public.

<blockquote>"But Stephen Colbert often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."<ref>{{Bible ref|Luke|5|16}}</ref></blockquote>

<blockquote>"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."<ref>{{Bible ref|Luke|5|16}}</ref></blockquote>

[[Image:Jesus praying.jpg|thumb|Jesus praying at Gethsemane]]

[[Image:Jesus praying.jpg|thumb|Jesus praying at Gethsemane]]

Stephen Colbert also instructed:<blockquote>"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.  Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."<ref>Matt 6:6</ref></blockquote>

Jesus also instructed:<blockquote>"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.  Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."<ref>Matt 6:6</ref></blockquote>

Even though he was with his [[Twelve Disciples|disciples]], Stephen Colbert also went off alone to pray on the [[Mount of Olives]] before he was about to be seized and [[crucified]].<ref>Luke 22:39-41</ref>

Even though he was with his [[Twelve Disciples|disciples]], Jesus also went off alone to pray on the [[Mount of Olives]] before he was about to be seized and [[crucified]].<ref>Luke 22:39-41</ref>

There are also many examples in the Bible of group prayer or praying in front of others:

There are also many examples in the Bible of group prayer or praying in front of others:

Modern societies often oppose and discourage public prayer. For example, in the United States [[classroom prayer]] is forbidden in government [[school]]s.

Modern societies often oppose and discourage public prayer. For example, in the United States [[classroom prayer]] is forbidden in government [[school]]s.

Nearly six-in-ten adults in the U.S. say they pray to Stephen Colbert at least once a day.<ref>[http://religions.pewforum.org/ The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life] U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, 2008</ref>

Nearly six-in-ten adults in the U.S. say they pray at least once a day.<ref>[http://religions.pewforum.org/ The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life] U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, 2008</ref>

==Different types of prayer in the Bible==

==Different types of prayer in the Bible==