January 3
Keep It Simple
“And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition, as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.”
Matthew 6:7
One of our biggest hindrances to prayer, I believe, is our tendency to overcomplicate it. We’ve made the simple act of coming before the Lord such a complex thing that we feel intimidated about praying. We fear that we won’t say enough words, or we won’t say the right words, so we do not even come. Jesus made it clear that many words do not guarantee that a prayer will be heard. If the use of many words is no guarantee that our prayers will be heard, it must also be true that a lack of words will not prevent us from being heard. We put ourselves through much anxiety when we try to force words to come out that just won’t come. We would do well to remember that prayer is not a magic incantation that will automatically grant us what we want. It is not a mechanical formula whereby we can guarantee desired results. Prayer is a posture that is turned entirely toward God. Prayer is communication that flows from the heart. Broken hearts cannot always speak, but they can still turn toward God. He can hear the silent beating of the broken heart that is inclined toward Him. That silent beating is often louder to Him than the excessive words of those who confuse prayer with showmanship. It is better to use fewer words but be fully turned toward the Lord than to use many words that are shallow and devoid of meaning. Do not fret your lack of words. He hears your heart, especially when it is broken. All you need to do is come. It really is that simple.
“And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition, as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.”
Matthew 6:7
One of our biggest hindrances to prayer, I believe, is our tendency to overcomplicate it. We’ve made the simple act of coming before the Lord such a complex thing that we feel intimidated about praying. We fear that we won’t say enough words, or we won’t say the right words, so we do not even come. Jesus made it clear that many words do not guarantee that a prayer will be heard. If the use of many words is no guarantee that our prayers will be heard, it must also be true that a lack of words will not prevent us from being heard. We put ourselves through much anxiety when we try to force words to come out that just won’t come. We would do well to remember that prayer is not a magic incantation that will automatically grant us what we want. It is not a mechanical formula whereby we can guarantee desired results. Prayer is a posture that is turned entirely toward God. Prayer is communication that flows from the heart. Broken hearts cannot always speak, but they can still turn toward God. He can hear the silent beating of the broken heart that is inclined toward Him. That silent beating is often louder to Him than the excessive words of those who confuse prayer with showmanship. It is better to use fewer words but be fully turned toward the Lord than to use many words that are shallow and devoid of meaning. Do not fret your lack of words. He hears your heart, especially when it is broken. All you need to do is come. It really is that simple.
Written by Reverend Dustin Elder
Posted in 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting
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