40 Days with Jesus - 09
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days with Jesus (Red Letter Edition)
Day 09 | WHAT TO LEAVE OUT OF YOUR PRAYERS
40 Days with Jesus (Red Letter Edition)
Day 09 | WHAT TO LEAVE OUT OF YOUR PRAYERS
WHAT TO LEAVE OUT OF YOUR PRAYERS
Matthew 6:7-8
“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. Therefore, do not be like them.”
When my sisters and I were young, our mom taught us simple, childlike prayers for mealtimes and bedtime. We used these prayers every day.
I remember that at mealtimes, we could recite that prayer together in about 4-5 seconds. It was clear that eating was more important to us than praying, and we were quick at it! Of course, we were children, but in today’s verse, Jesus is basically telling the adult audience the same basic message: avoid the “vain repetitions.”
Some Christian churches today seem to teach that repeating the same prayer or phrase – often multiple times in a row – is necessary for God’s forgiveness, comfort, guidance, and more. But Jesus clearly forbids this. He said, “Do NOT use vain repetitions as the heathen do.” Some Bible translations use “babbling” or “empty talk” instead of “vain repetitions.” Back then, it was common to see some people on street corners repeating the same prayer over and over—without much thought—to appear “lofty and spiritual” to others.
Additionally, some must have thought that God was hard of hearing, so repetition was necessary. I can only guess the motivation behind those prayers, but if Jesus says “Don’t do” this or that… we should follow His instruction!
The real issue here seems to be “faithless prayers.” Certainly, our childhood prayers were repetitive and spoken without much thought or conviction. They were good for childhood, but if I were still praying like that as an adult, something must change!
Prayer: LORD, I’m sorry if my prayers ever seem thoughtless or babbling. Thank You for allowing me to speak to You in prayer. Help me stay focused during my prayers. Amen.
Matthew 6:7-8
“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. Therefore, do not be like them.”
When my sisters and I were young, our mom taught us simple, childlike prayers for mealtimes and bedtime. We used these prayers every day.
I remember that at mealtimes, we could recite that prayer together in about 4-5 seconds. It was clear that eating was more important to us than praying, and we were quick at it! Of course, we were children, but in today’s verse, Jesus is basically telling the adult audience the same basic message: avoid the “vain repetitions.”
Some Christian churches today seem to teach that repeating the same prayer or phrase – often multiple times in a row – is necessary for God’s forgiveness, comfort, guidance, and more. But Jesus clearly forbids this. He said, “Do NOT use vain repetitions as the heathen do.” Some Bible translations use “babbling” or “empty talk” instead of “vain repetitions.” Back then, it was common to see some people on street corners repeating the same prayer over and over—without much thought—to appear “lofty and spiritual” to others.
Additionally, some must have thought that God was hard of hearing, so repetition was necessary. I can only guess the motivation behind those prayers, but if Jesus says “Don’t do” this or that… we should follow His instruction!
The real issue here seems to be “faithless prayers.” Certainly, our childhood prayers were repetitive and spoken without much thought or conviction. They were good for childhood, but if I were still praying like that as an adult, something must change!
Prayer: LORD, I’m sorry if my prayers ever seem thoughtless or babbling. Thank You for allowing me to speak to You in prayer. Help me stay focused during my prayers. Amen.
Posted in With Jesus
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