Keeping My Prayers Simple

In Matthew 6:7-8 I read, “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words . . . for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (NIV)

Longer is not stronger when it comes to prayer.

God is much more interested in humble and authentic prayers than a long-winded sermon in prayer. Just get to the point!

Jesus had a lot to say in the Sermon on the Mount about praying simply, without trying to sound super spiritual:

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words . . . for your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:5-8 NIV).

I don’t have to convince God of what I need. He already knows! Just come to him as simply, honestly, and humbly as I can, and talk about what I need.

Don’t use prayer to show off. I’m sure you’ve seen people do that. But that doesn’t mean they get any credit for that kind of prayer. God doesn’t want to hear that kind of prayer.

Instead, be sincere. Don’t spout off clichés. Don’t add in fillers because I’m afraid my prayers are too short.

Talk to God like I would to a loved one or a good friend. Say, “God, nice day. Thanks for making this one. Talk to you in another three seconds.” Prayer is an ongoing conversation. I can just pick up where I left off in another minute and keep the conversation open.

Adding words to my prayer doesn’t make it any stronger. Keep it simple, with a sincere heart and sure faith.

In summary, when I pray, I shouldn’t babble on, thinking I’ll be heard because of my many words. My Father in Heaven knows what I need before I even ask him. Also longer is not stronger when it comes to prayer. God is much more interested in my humble and authentic prayers than in a long-winded one. I just need to get to the point! Jesus had a lot to say in the Sermon on the Mount about praying simply. I don’t have to convince God of what I need. He already knows! I can just come to him as simply, honestly, and humbly as I can, and talk about what I need. I should never use prayer to show off. Instead, my prayers need to be sincere. Not a spouting off of clichés. And don’t add in fillers because I’m afraid my prayers are too short. Just talk to God like I would to a loved one or a good friend. Prayer is an ongoing conversation. I can just pick up where I left off in another minute and keep the conversation open.  Adding words to my prayer doesn’t make it any stronger. With a sincere heart and sure faith I can just keep it simple.

Repeating the same words over and over like a magic incantation is no way to ensure that God will hear my prayers. It's not wrong to come to God many times with the same requests, Jesus encourages persistent prayer. But he condemns the shallow repetition of worlds that are not offered with a sincere heart. I can never pray too much if my prayers are honest and sincere. Before I start to pray, I need to make sure I mean what I say.

Father, thank you for Your Word and Jesus as my savior and example. You want me and I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. Help me to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me. 

Today, I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, doing well and making a difference in others lives (including my job.) I pray all these things through you Son Jesus’ name, Amen.