Matthew 6: 7&8 “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do: for they think that they shall be heard for their many words. Be ye not therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
Before starting a new series, I want to thank those of you that sent encouraging comments regarding the “Be Attitude” series – comments are always appreciated. For me personally, I know I gained from the writing of them. With this next series on prayer, taking The Lord’s prayer as our model, I am confident that we will find it to be a blessing as well.
As air and water are to our physical being, so prayer and study are to our souls. To not make time for prayer, is like trying to sustain your physical life with the breath you just breathed. You won’t make it, and the same with going through the day without first connecting to the ” Breath of Life.” We can function, but not in the spirit, we can make decisions, but not based on eternal values and truth. Everything we do may be good, but it will be short sighted. We will miss opportunities to share eternal truth with someone and/ or be an ” unprepared vessel” if the opportunity comes. Remember, we can “act Christian” or we can live it – and if we live it, it can move mountains. Mountains of bitterness, or desperation/ hopelessness, or break down walls of insecurity or fear by experiencing for ourselves or granting to others the hope and forgiveness that is in the Lord. To walk in communion with Him is to know hope, joy, love, peace, all by starting a habit of prayer, which is awesome. To be able to encourage someone and know that a seed of eternal truth was received, makes all the obstacles worth it. As mentioned in an earlier prayer, we are all in this race called “Life” together. How will we end? Will we find that we ran from “Life,” through all our business, or did we run towards Him, howbeit a little crooked. And to be able to affect and or influence people to run towards the Light is an awesome privilege, and it starts with consistent prayer in us.
So prayer is that daily connection that “plugs us in” to our source of Life. It keeps us running in the right direction. Without it, that sense of direction is just not there and in time, it feels as though He is not there. However in reality, we are the ones that left Him. Imagine a college class that starts at 8 every morning. The classroom door is open, the room is set up and the teacher’s present – but you’re (we’re) not. The benefit of the teacher will not be experienced unless we’re present. I have a saying that speaks of this, ” show up for class with a readied heart and Bible in hand, and the teacher will teach wonderful things from His Word (The Bible) and fill your heart and mind with heavenly treasures.”
So based on our text, how do we pray? One, avoid repetition, ” use not vain repetition, as the Gentiles do: ” Often repetition speaks of doubt. We repeat hoping to convince God, to get Him on “our side” and if we say it enough, it might just work. We are like a child pleading with their parent for just one more trinket. He who made the ears, cannot hear? If He does not grant our petition, then there’s a good reason for it. Remember, ” for your Father knows what things ye have need of before you ask.” Some people ask, “why pray if He already knows?” The text does not say that. It says that He is so intimately connected to us, that He already knows what is in our best interest – even before we make our petition. It does not say not to pray. So let’s keep this in mind as answers to prayer come, as well as prayers that go unanswered. In ending I want to share one of my all time favorite verses, ” Trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.” Proverbs 3: 5&6
Father,
Thank you for reminding us of the importance of prayer. Though we may struggle in the doing, it is needful for us, because You are our need provider. Prayer gives us hope as we connect with You in communion and it gives us strength and peace. Enable us to make it a priority in our life. Thank you and Amen
Move forward in His Grace – Arthur