Hi there dearie
How was your weekend? This weekend found me thinking about prayer a lot; and today’s Holy Nougat struck me as most apt for a question raised.
“And when you are praying, do not babble on and on like the pagans; for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” Matthew 6:7-8 TLV
Sometimes our prayer becomes vain babbling because we seek to be seen as grand intercessor (think priests of Baal dancing up a frenzy); and at other times, it may be about what God must do at our command.
Having already been given the most devastating news; I remember deciding to counter with prayer. You know, two or three gathered in prayer … ask and if shall be given … you didn’t get the desired answer because you didn’t ask with precision (or was it vision?). So as folks gathered, we were all united in the act of prayer. But we were not united IN our prayer.
The leaders of the impromptu prayer meeting had very clearly heard God’s directive; I was mis-hearing in faith. I began quoting … speak what isn’t as though it is, and all other supporting scripture.
Instead of things going MY way, nothing happened. I pressed on; louder and with more intensity; when suddenly mid-prayer, this verse came to mind.
Right there, mid-sentence and out loud, I started to explain my motives to God. <I’m shouting because it seems that You are not hearing me>
The silence within lasted for a few heartbeats. I realized with a jolt, that my ‘prayer’ was vain babbling on and on and on ad nauseam; for I was not seeking God’s guidance. Nor had I felt the peace that passed understanding during my shouting session.
When we pray, let us focus on a two-way conversation, intimate and sweet. By God’s grace we can do exactly that.
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
