New Testament Vs. Qu'ranic Prayer

Another way in which God and Allah differ is in the matter of prayer. For example, we can see by the prayers of Jesus and his disciples that it was a conversation with the loving and caring Father.

Christ spoke to God in Luke 10:21 (KJV). "In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, 'I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.'"

And even the Jews prayed to God in a personal way, Though they often prayed with wrong motives. As Christ pointed out in Luke 18:11 (KJV), "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.'"

When the apostles were persecuted, they too addressed God as a person. After praising him, they said in Acts 4:29 (KJV), "And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,"

Even in Old Testament times, people prayed to the Lord and brought before him their petitions. As just one example, Daniel 2:23 (KJV) says, "I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.'"

But in Islam, the devout Muslims recite prayers. Sura9:71 reads, "The believing men and believing women are friends of one another. They advocate virtue, forbid evil, perform the prayers, practice charity, and obey Allah and His Messenger. These—Allah will have mercy on them. Allah is Noble and Wise."

In some Christian churches, they also say rote prayers. But this isn't found in the Scriptures. Even what some call the "Our Father" or "The Lord's Prayer" is a template and not to be repeatedly recited without understanding.

Sura 4:101 shows that prayers were recited but could be shortened if need be. "When you travel in the land, there is no blame on you for shortening the prayers, if you fear that the disbelievers may harm you. The disbelievers are your manifest enemies."

I'll be writing more about this in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Muslims think we're the ones bound for the "hellfire" but they are the ones headed for that place of punishment. I'll expand on that extensively in my book.