>>>

Matthew 6:7-8 - Pray Not in Vain Repetition.

Matthew 6:7-8 (NKJV) And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

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

Matthew 6:7-8 (AMP) And when you pray, do not heap up phrases (multiply words, repeating the same ones over and over) as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard for their much speaking. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

WORD STUDY

Vain Repetitions: to speak without giving thought to what is spoken.  [Teachers SS Quarterly; 3/2/93]

It is not all repetition in prayer that is here condemned, but vain repetitions.  [Matthew Henry]

INTRODUCTION

Repeating the same words over and over like a magic incantation does not guarantee that God will hear your prayer any better. It's not wrong to come to God many times with the same requests - Jesus encourages persistent prayer (Luke 18:1-8). But he condemns the shallow repetition of words that are not offered with a sincere heart. We can never pray too much if our prayers are honest and sincere. When you pray, keep your heart and mind actively engaged. Make sure you mean what you say. [Life Application SB 2019]

COMMENTARY PEARL

The most eloquent prayers are but idle words if they do not express the true sentiments of the heart. But the prayer that comes from an earnest heart, when the simple wants of the soul are expressed, as we would ask an earthly friend for a favor, expecting it to be granted - this is the prayer of faith. God does not desire our ceremonial compliments, but the unspoken cry of the heart broken and subdued with a sense of its sin and utter weakness finds its way to the Father of all mercy. MB 86-87

COMMENTARY

Our God of Detail
   Amazing Fact: Hair is one of the fastest-growing tissues in the body, second only to bone marrow. In fact, the average adult scalp grows more than 100 feet of hair per day!
   Though this fact seems incredible, consider that the average adult scalp has 100,000 hairs. That means that each hair only needs to grow about a third of a millimeter per day to reach a total of over 100 feet. The average life of a hair is four to seven years. Each time a hair falls out, a new one usually grows in its place. This can happen up to 20 times for each hair follicle.
   Another interesting fact is that redheads have an average of only 80,000 hairs, while black- and brown-haired persons average 100,000. Blondes top the list at 120,000. Though you might feel alarmed after brushing to see your brush full of hair, it is doubtful that the average 100 hairs that you lose per day would make any visible difference. In fact, a person must lose over 50 percent of his hair to have any noticeable difference in his appearance.
   At times we might feel that God is distant or takes little notice of the affairs of our lives. But this is a lie from the enemy. Our loving heavenly Father knows all about us. We are told that He not only "knows our frame" (Psalm 103:14), but He has numbered the very hairs of our head (Luke 12:7). Not only does He know and understand the big picture - what makes us who we are, but He is fully aware of the little details of our lives. By telling us that He knows the number of hairs we have, He is letting us know that He is also aware of the bigger, more difficult details of our lives. When we are tempted to feel alone or unimportant, let's remember that God loves us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3), and is just waiting for us to experience the joy of total dependence upon Him. [Moving Mountains by Amazing Facts]

   Some people repeat the prayer known as the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) over and over, as if it were an incantation that will give them whatever they ask. While Jesus does encourage us to be persistent in our prayers, we must remember that shallow repetition without sincerity will get us nowhere.
   Jesus provides us with simple prayer as a model for our own prayers. This is why he said, "Pray like this" (Matthew 6:9). His example prayer puts the focus on God first and our own needs second. We begin by honoring God's name anticipating his coming Kingdom. Then we ask that his will be done; that is, no matter what our following requests may be we recognize that his will supercedes our own desires because he knows what is best for us. Next we make our requests known to God, acknowledging him as our provider. We know he will never tempt us, but we must pray for strength not to give in to temptation and to be delivered from evil influences.
   While repetition of the Lord's Prayer can be very meaningful, it is important to use it as a model prayer in which you praise him, pray for his continued work in the world, and pray for your daily needs, both physical and spiritual. [The One Year Bible for New Believers]

CLOSING THOUGHT

Frequently, when we pray, we tell God the first and last name of the person we are praying for.  The Lord already knows, just as He knows all the details of the problem. God is omniscient:  He already knows everyone and everything.  What God wants from us is our acknowledgment that we understand our need, and the awareness that we are totally dependent on Him for everything. Since He already knows, what do we really need to say to Him? Let's choose to keep our words few and specific before our Lord. Then we will be effectual and fervent and our prayers will prevail! [In His Time; Walk With Wisdom]

ONE LINER

Prayer is an ongoing conversation. You can just pick up where you left off in another minute and keep the conversation open. [Daily Devotional by Rick Warren: https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

Matthew 6:7-8 - Pray Not in Vain Repetition.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240327-0858.html

Matthew 6:9 - Our Father Which Art In Heaven,
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2014/20140223-1143.html

John 17: The Lord Praying.
Devotional pending.

James 5:16 - What A Great Way To Pray For One Another.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200417-0907.html

Ecclesiastes 5:2 (NASB) Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few.
Devotional pending.

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/