Daily Devotional – Monday, October 18, 2021
And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
Matthew 6:7 (NKJV)
Not many prayers have the passion and beauty of those offered by young children. These petitions are sincere, short and simple. By the time the prayer ends, you will not only say ‘Amen’, you will also be smiling.
Adults can learn a lot from the prayer habits of children. Jesus taught, “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.” (Matthew 6:7).
Some prayers are tiresome, especially when people are kneeling. Because of numerous repetitions, people’s minds wander. They wonder when the prayer will end. They may even start hating the person leading the prayer.
Jesus taught His disciples to prioritize quality above quantity in prayer. He said, “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8).
A child who wants something from her parent does not tell long stories. She goes straight to the point because she knows she has a loving and understanding father.
Prayer is worship. It is not only talking to God. It is also listening to Him. We tend to think that the longer our ‘shopping lists’ the more God will hear us. We forget God knows all our needs even without us telling Him.
We need to learn from children how to pray to our loving Heavenly Father without appearing to beg. The Lord’s Prayer contains the key principles of child-like prayer. Recite and meditate on it today.
Our Father who art in heaven…
What is your opinion about congregational and group prayers? Do they violate this teaching? Please leave your comment.
If we trust God with the faith of a child, our prayers will be more of listening to God than presenting our ‘shopping lists’ to him.
Thank you for your comment, Erastus. God bless you.