Verse of the Day 7-19-22

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Matthew 6:7-8

These words spoken by Jesus some two thousand years ago should cause us to ask two hugely important questions about prayer: why are some prayers wrong and if God knows what we need before we ask, why ask?

• Why are some prayers wrong?

When prayers are reduced to techniques or formulas as a means of manipulating God, they are wrong. In the first century, some had developed long lists with the names of pagan gods. They would recite their lists hoping to correctly pronounce the names of the “true gods” and thereby harness their power to grant their wishes. Others would endlessly repeat phrases or syllables in an attempt to earn the favor of the gods. Jesus recalled such pagan practices to show that true prayer depends on what is in the heart more than what is on the tongue.

• If God knows what we need before we ask, why ask?

Prayer was never intended to inform God of something he doesn’t know. The point of prayer isn’t merely to get what we want but to nurture our relationship with God. As a result, prayer can change us rather than the situation, reinforcing our confidence in our God’s sufficiency and realigning our will with his. At the same time, God invites us to involve ourselves in his work by praying.

Today’s Bible Readings:

1 Chronicles 28-29, Romans 5:6-21, Psalm 15:1-5 and Proverbs 19:18-19