HomeWord - Oct. 24, 2006
Let My Words Be Few
This devotional was written by Leslie Snyder
“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 your Father in heaven knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6: 5-8
Simple prayers say it best. Regarding prayer, one person said, “Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one’s weaknesses. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart.”
And, consider the following quotes:
“Let me remain as empty as possible so that God can fill me up.” Mother Theresa
“Dear God, I like the Lord’s prayer best of all. Did you have to write it a lot or did you get it right the first time? I have to write everything I ever write over again.” Lois[1]
“Dear God, Did you mean for the giraffe to look like that or was it an accident?” Norma[2]
I believe that too often we get caught up in overthinking our prayers, and can become paralyzed, preventing us from simply, but boldly, going to God in prayer. Rather than coming before God with the cries of our heart, we struggle to find the right words and, out of frustration, forgo opportunities to talk to God. Be reminded today that simple prayers are often best. Remember the simplicity of how Jesus instructed His disciples to pray:
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.
Forgive us our debts,
As we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
Matthew 6: 9 - 13
[1] Children’s Letters to God, Stuart Hample and Eric Marshall. Workman Publishing, 1991.
[2] ibid
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GOING DEEPER:
Too often, we get caught up in saying the right words in prayer instead of just praying. Today, just pray.
FURTHER READING:
Romans 8: 26; Psalm 28: 6-7
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