Day 7
- And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
The hypocrites pray to be seen by men. The pagans pray to wrestle a favor from a reluctant God.
They imagine God to be reluctant and tight-fisted with His blessings; so they plan on overwhelming him with words, wearing him out with verbiage. "If we just keep talking, He'll give in eventually."
UNDERSTANDING
Do you think that God is saying we should never repeat our prayer requests?
Luke 18:2-7
“Babbling like pagans” refers to prayers said that were simply words and did not come from the heart. They were without thought. They were not sincere and did not carry the desire to please God.
Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
At first glance it might appear as if this thought made prayer unnecessary: God knows far better than we what we need. But as we get a deeper insight into what prayer really is, this truth will help much to strengthen our faith. It will teach us that we do not need, with the multitude and urgency of our words, to compel an unwilling God to listen to us.
My Father knows I need it and must have it. And if there is any delay in the answer, it will teach me in quiet determination to hold on and trust with quiet confidence.
The purpose of prayer is not to inform or persuade God, but to come before Him sincerely, purposely, consciously, and devotedly. John Stott
LIFE APPLICATION
Let’s do that today. Find a quiet place and allow the life and love of the Father to fill us. He knows what we need. Just take the time to be with the Father. Enjoy His love and His approval.
Take some time today to pray thoughtfully and not with the usual verbiage that you are accustomed using.