My recent studies for my sermons have taken me to Matthew 5, 6, and 7 where Jesus is teaching on the Mount of Olives. He teaches about many things, but in Matthew 6:5-8 He comes to the subject of prayer. “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 men. I tell you the truth, 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. Do not be like them, for you Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”
Allow me to share with you a few things that I see as well as a few questions that arise in my mind as I read this. First of all, don’t forget that prayer is talking to God. Replace the word “pray” with the words “talk to God” and allow that to sink in a little bit. “When you talk to God don’t be like the hypocrites.” “When you talk to God don’t stand in the middle of church and draw attention to yourself.” “When you talk to God go to your room in private where no one can see you.” “And when you talk to God stop babbling on and on, but rather be a person of few words.”
If you are like me, there are certain people that I really like to hear pray. They seem to have a real connection to God and it is probably because they have talked to Him so many times before. There are other people who seem to just go through a ritual of sorts and they have a tendency to babble. The longer they pray, the more they think might be impressed in their own minds. When Peter was drowning he prayed and he simply said “Lord, save me!” (Matt 14:30) The blind man said “Rabbi, I want to see.” (Mark 10:51) The lepers said “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” (Luke 17:13) All of these are prayers. In all three instances they are simply talking to God. No babbling, no long prayers with impressive words, they were very simple and to the point. The prayer of the tax collector that Jesus talked about was: “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” (Luke 18:13) That prayer will change your life!!!
In His sermon, Jesus goes on to say “Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6:8) If that is true, and I believe it is, then why pray? In my Bible I have those two words written right after that verse; Why pray? If God already knows what I need, then what do I have to talk to Him about? Jesus knew that we were going to ask that question. Look at what He says; “This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hollowed be your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day 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 evil.” (Matthew 6:9-13) Jesus seems to be saying that if you are going to talk to God then talk to Him about what really matters. Interesting that it is not a grocery list of our wants and desires. “This, then, is how you should talk to God…” Talk to Him about His name and His glory. God, You be LORD and I will be quiet. We are to be kingdom people who are kingdom minded. Do we desire the things that God desires? Continue to give me Your Bread day after day. What is “Bread” in the Bible? His Word! Feed me day after day with Your Word. Talk to Him about forgiveness. Your need for forgiveness and your need to forgive others. That is not easy so you need to talk to Him about that. It’s important! Talk to Him about your desire for Him to keep you from the attacks of the evil one. All of this indicates your total dependence on Him, and it shows that you are very much aware of it yourself. That is why we pray. That is why you should pray. That is how you should pray. That is how you should talk to God! I have to believe that when you realize that prayer is you talking to God, your life and your prayer life will radically change. You will realize that He already knows what you need. You will realize that He is and always has been faithful to provide what you have needed. Hopefully, that new awareness will drive you to talk to God the way that Jesus teaches us to.
Enjoy a little time talking to God!
Blessings,
Jerry