Today’s Reading: Matthew 6:7-8 (HCSB)
When you pray, don’t babble like the idolaters, since they imagine they’ll be heard for their many words. Don’t be like them, because your Father knows the things you need before you ask Him.
Today’s Question: Since God knows all things, why do we need to pray?
Today’s Commentary:
It may be a weakness in my spiritual life, but I am not a fan of long public prayers. I have an incurable but clinically diagnosed disease called Attention Deficit Disorder (aside: I am not going to get into the debate about whether it exists or not. I just know I am not normal. Feel free to psychoanalyze me if you wish). Therefore, it is an extremely hard to track with your public prayer when it reaches the four minute mark.
So when your prayer reaches the twenty-eighth minute, my mind becomes flooded with the verse from Ecclesiastes 5:2, “Do not be hasty to speak, and do not be impulsive to make a speech before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.” (HCSB)
Don’t misunderstand my point: I would rather you pray long that not to pray at all. Jesus’ warning here in the passage for today is clearly against hypocrisy: praying aloud for the purpose of being heard and admired by others.
There is a phenomenon that goes on here in the “South.” I hear a number of preachers praying in the “King James” language. Yet, when I have a conversation with the same pastor, his vocal tone to me is very much the normal southern drawl. I must admit this leaves me perplexed. I am not trying to be overly critical here, but it does concern me in light of what Jesus states in Matthew 6:5-6.
God is omniscient and already know our needs before we ask. Yet, the primary purpose of prayer is not to convince God to give us something (or take something away). The purpose of prayer is to adjust our will to God’s. We must pray often and with humility. God will speak to us. His Spirit will guide us.
As I have stated before, God is not impressed by the complexity or quantity of our words. He looks at our heart. So why do we need to pray if God knows what is inside of us?
In the Gospel accounts, our Lord is seen praying very often. Prayer made such a difference in His life that His disciples asked Him to teach them to pray. It was not that these Jewish men lacked in times of prayer. They, however, saw something different and powerful in Jesus’ connection with the Father. They wanted that, too.
The good news is that we can have a deeply personal and wonderful connection with God. This begins with prayer. This communication is the lifeline for the disciple of Christ.
“Follow One, Lead Others” Principle #29: Prayer is the primary connection for the disciple of Jesus to the will of God the Father and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Today’s Prayer Point: Take a moment to assess your attitude toward prayer. Is it authentic or just routinely spoken words? Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you into a deeper, more enriching prayer time today.
Shepherding Well 