The WTS speaking out of both sides of their mouth:
*** w99 1/15 16 Lift Up Loyal Hands in Prayer ***
Suppose we are privileged to represent a family in prayer before a meal. Such a prayer could be fairly short?but whatever is said should include an expression of gratitude for the food.
If we are praying publicly before or after a Christian meeting, we do not need to offer a long prayer covering many points. Jesus criticized the scribes who ?made long prayers for a pretext.? (Luke 20:46, 47) Never would a godly person want to do that.
(except)
At times, though, a somewhat longer public prayer may be appropriate. For instance, an elder chosen to say the final prayer at an assembly should give it advance thought and may desire to mention several points. Yet, even such a prayer should not be of excessive length. (what's excessive???)
*** w87 7/15 12 How Meaningful Are Your Prayers? ***
We should not want to memorize certain words and just repeat them each time we pray;
neither should it be necessary for a witness of Jehovah to read his prayer, as at a public assembly . (They read their prayers!!!!!)
*** w86 5/15 23 Praying Before Others With a Humble Heart ***
Hence, there is no rule about how long a public prayer should be. But there is no special virtue in long prayers. In fact,
Jesus criticized the scribes who ?devoured the houses of the widows and for a pretext made long prayers .? (Luke 20:46, 47) Prayers on behalf of others should clearly mention their circumstances or needs and should be of a length appropriate to the occasion. We do not need to offer long, rambling prayers covering many unrelated points. When giving thanks for a meal, a prayer could be quite short. A prayer opening a Christian meeting does not have to be long either.
The one representing a family at the beginning or the end of the day, or the one concluding an assembly in prayer, may wish to cover more points that are appropriate to the occasion .