And when you pray, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. So do not be like them [praying as they do]; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
Matthew 6:7-8 AMP
Let it be stated here that prayer is first a private matter before it can ever become a public matter. In fact, public prayer is not any measure of a private prayer life. So many things were said by Jesus when it comes to the matter of prayer and today's extract is just one of them. Jesus seems to emphasize prayer as first a private matter between you and God, not between me and any other person. We use high sounding words and want to come out looking smart and intelligent, forgetting that this isn't a popularity contest, but simply a submission to and acceptance of divine authority.
The word WHEN is used here to signify that prayer isn't a choice. Well, it is, because you can decide not to do it, but if and when you have leant the benefit and what it to become a daily routine, then today's extract is for you. Just as was said above, why would I bring in the world's process into my relationship with God? We use grammatical constructs to get ahead with men; we project manage man-made deadlines, and then we want to apply the same principles to prayer. We come to God and sound off; we drone on and on; maybe because we don't know who we are dealing with, or we simply think the more we speak, the easier it is for God to hear and answer us. It actually doesnt work like that.
It is not in the multitude of words that God honours, but the sincerity of the heart that seeks him. I can spend an hour 'praying', yet I am only seeking to impose my will on the divine, not to hear what the divine wants to say. I could spend the same hour 'praying' to God and really listening to what he has to say and being quick to obey his leading. Same hour, maybe similar words, but the benefits and impact are different. It is not really the length that counts, though sometimes the length could be a reflection of burdens, but when I seek God for the right reasons, this would underline my public testimony.
Today's extract makes it clear: the God who calls us to Himself knows us intimately. He isn't deceived by words that are empty of substance. Go to God in the sincerity of a heart that seeks to know more of Him. It is a search that can never be completed on this side of eternity. The more I pray sincerely, the more of God I realise I do not really know. I have a Father who is the Omniscient God, who knows me so intimately that there is nothing hidden from me. The least I can do for myself is not to deceive myself but to be plain, open and honest with God. His help is free and available. His time of favour is here.
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