Matthew 6:7-8
[7] “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. [8] Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
As you read the passage, what blessed you, challenged you, or raised questions?
Head: What is wrong with how the Gentiles pray, as Paul describes?
Heart: What should be your heart before God when you pray?
Hands: How do you handle the different ways God answers your prayers? (Especially when they aren't as you desire)
Brothers and sisters, God is not like a Genie, He is your Father, who knows you so well. When we pray, the power is not in the words themselves, but in God Himself and in the work that Jesus accomplished to make us God's children.
The error of the Gentiles (unbelievers) described here is that they focus on WHAT to pray, rather than WHO they are praying to. If you pray to a god that does not exist, it doesn't matter how lofty your prayers are. They are described as people who pray to false gods, thinking that if they offer elaborate prayers that their prayers will please the gods and bring a favorable answer. Paul describes this as heaping up "empty phrases", with no effect.
This is not the case for Christians. We don't pray to God as if we are trying to win His approval and a favorable response. Jesus has already made us approved before God! Approach God freely, yet with reverence. We don't pray to God as to a distant and uncaring God. He is our Father and wants the best for us!
So pray to your Father for the sake of spending time with Him. And while you do, let Him know what's on your heart, ask Him for what you need and what you want. Let God know how much you love Him and how great God is. Look forward to the intimacy that will come out of this, and look forward to being surprised by how God answers with more than you ask or imagine!
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Devotional Guide:
1) Pray for understanding in your mind, for trust in your heart, and for powerful obedience in your daily living.
2) Read the passage and mark anything that blesses you, challenges you, or raises a question.
3) Reflect on the passage. What's God saying about Himself? What's God saying about you?
4) Pray in response to what God puts on your heart through the Word.