Prayer

When I was a child I remember being in awe of an older man in church because of the way that he prayed.  It sounded so majestic.  He used “thee” and “thou” in what sounded like just the right places.  His voice had this air of holiness about it.  Yet even though his words were lofty-sounding, because I knew the man I knew that the heart behind those words was sincere.

Not all lofty prayers are sincere prayers.  Jesus taught His disciples this very truth.   “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.  But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.  And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like 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 6:5-8)

Prayer was never intended to promote ourselves by impressing others.  Prayer is a great gift from God who listens to our hearts cry and speaks to our spirit.  He invites us to enter into His presence. Get alone with God.  Speak to Him honestly from your heart.  And listen for His answer.