FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3
“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”
Matthew 6:7-8 ESV
APPROVED PRAYERS
In the middle of a forest, there was a hunter who was suddenly confronted with a huge, mean bear. In all his fears, his attempt to shoot the bear was unsuccessful. He turned away and started to run as fast as he could. Finally, he ended up at the edge of a very steep cliff. His hopes were dim. All he could do now was pray. So he prayed, “God please make this a Christian bear.” All of a sudden the bear dropped to his knees and began to pray, “God in heaven I thank you for this meal I am about to receive.”
Sometimes simple prayers are the best prayers. It seems ridiculous that people would use prayers to try to impress other people but it happens all the time and it was happening in the days when Jesus was walking on the earth. They were heaping up lots of big words and long loud prayers for others to hear and think well of them. However, those prayers don’t capture the attention of heaven.
Our prayers aren’t telling God anything He doesn’t already know. But our prayers do put our hearts in line with God’s heart and show our dependence on Him for all of our needs. You don’t need to be a pastor or expert in theology to talk to God. The beauty of God’s grace is that any of us can talk to God at anytime and we don’t need big words. Just honesty and openness. Have you ever felt unworthy to talk to God? Because of what Jesus did for us we may come to God with all our concerns no matter how big or small they may seem to us. Confidently share your needs with God in prayer.
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
