Keep It Simple
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking (Matthew 6:7). Some people believe what they need when they’re in a dire situation is a powerful prayer, but what exactly is a powerful prayer?
To some, it has to do with the multiplicity of words or how loud they’re able to shout when they pray. But really, what produces result isn’t the intensity of your shout or multiplicity of your words; rather, it’s your faith in the Lord and His Word—your confidence in the One to whom you pray.
This makes prayer not only exciting but also something to keep simple. That’s the essence of the Master’s admonition in our theme verse. He said, “Don’t pray like the heathen, who erroneously think they’ll be heard for using vain repetitions.” God isn’t hard of hearing. The Bible says He already knows what you need before you ask Him (Matthew 6:8). Therefore, learn to pray like Jesus. He prayed and acted simply. Recall the simple way He prayed at the tomb of Lazarus. The Bible says, “…And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth” (John 11:41-43).
Jesus said in Mark 11:23-24, “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” That’s it! So, make your prayers simple. Pray with faith, confident of the Father’s love for you and the guarantee of hearing that you have in His presence.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for your Word in my heart, which comes forth from my lips in prayer, to effect changes in circumstances and situations around me. The power of the Holy Spirit is at work in me, bringing about a transformation in my life, from glory to glory, in the Name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Philippians 4:6; Luke 18:1; James 5:15-18
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 24:36-51 & Exodus 28
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 15:12-21 & Job 40-41
