And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Matthew 6:7 NIV
One day long ago, the disciples asked Jesus how to pray. Jesus gave us an example in the Lord's Prayer but also left us some instructions.
First, find a quiet place, go into our rooms, and close the door. Rid ourselves of the distractions of the busy outside world, and be with God. Shut out all the clutter we can and those distractions inside our heads we find harder to quiet, and pray for them to be calmed.
Secondly, keep it simple. In Christ's times, the pagans would babble–running through their laundry list of gods in fear one would be missed. We pray to the one true God, who already knows our needs. There is no need for flowery language with thee, thou, and thine. God, who gave us brain and tongue, understands modern vernacular just fine. Go before him honestly and earnestly, friend to friend.
Finally, pray in confidence, knowing that everything asked according to his will, will be done. The answer may not be what we want but what we need.
"Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one."
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
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