KEEP IT REAL! “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. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” Matthew 6:7-8 AMP If theres one thing that God would have us avoid when it comes to prayer, its insincerity. When we pray, He desires for our prayers to come from the heart, not just the head. Jesus even goes so far as to warn us here about the proverbial auto pilot prayers that lack any sense of fervency or urgency. Theyre a waste of our time and theyre dishonoring to God because it shows a lack of respect. We all know what its like when another person speaks to us in a detached and un-involved way. Maybe its a sales person whos answering the same question for the ten-thousandth time, or the teenager whos simply goes through the motions when asked about their day at school. None of us appreciate that, and inside we want to say, If youre going to talk to me then talk to me! God is the same way. He wants us to truly engage with Him, to hurl all our heart into the conversation. Thats the kind of prayer Hes interested in. We see a perfect example of this from Peter. He had stepped out of the boat and began to walk on the waves toward Jesus. But it wasnt long before his faith began to fail and he started to sink. In absolute desperation he cried out, Lord, save me! That was a very sincere prayer, and we shouldnt miss the fact that the Lord answered it (Matthew 14:28-31). Thats the kind of passionate sincerity that ought to be fueling our prayers. Remember, God doesnt care about our eloquence. He cares about our earnestness. “Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. “The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].” James 5:16 AMP When have you seen a sincere expression of faith? How does God view our shallow superficial prayers? How are your prayers more real in times of crisis? Why?
Posted on: Sat, 19 Oct 2013 09:36:26 +0000
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