Todays Reading: Matthew 6:7 ; Psalm 70
Matthew 6: 7
“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.
How many words are enough? How loud or soft, should I pray? Will He hear me? God has not heard me, should I pray more or increase in my frequency or intensity? I have struggled with and grown in my prayer life over these last 36 years. I still find myself wrestling with these thoughts and others as I pray. Through this journey, I have learned it is not about the perfect words or phrases, but it is about the relationship.
Prayer can be broken down into three areas: presence, relationship, and alignment. Over the years, I have prayed to have a better relationship and prayer life and these are the areas that have helped me to grow.
Presence. We have to allow our mind, body, and spirit to become reserved and in reverence of the awesomeness of God. We have to place ourselves actually in the presence of God. We have to literally see Him for all that He is. In Revelation, John states that when he saw Christ, he fell down and worshipped.
Revelation 1: 17-18
“17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”
May we fall down and humble ourselves each time we make a petition to God. I don’t literally fall completely down in the streets every time I pray, but I submit my heart and soul to Him.
Relationship. The relationship that we have with God is our own personal connection with him. I have heard many pastors and clergy speak about the relationship with God should be “this” or “that”, but the relationship is up to the individual and is always a working progress. The relationship dictates the interaction that you have with God. I have many relationships with friends and family and there are times that you can talk for hours and other times you can be silent for long periods of time. The relationship with God can be similar, there can be times that you are in awe of all that He has given you and cannot stop thanking him with your words. In other times, there can be times where you are so overwhelmed by His presence that you are at a lost for words. The great thing about God is He loves the time you. No matter if you have many words or no words.
Alignment. The proper placement of our lives, attitudes, and emotions allows us to hear and interact with God better. For example, I have a wonderful seven-year-old on who is always running around and finding things to make, play or do. If I am inside the house and he is outside the house, when I call him, he might be able to respond. But if I am in the same area, either the house or outside and I call him, he will respond quickly. This is the same with our Heavenly Father, if we are in the same mindset or atmosphere; we are better aligned to respond to His calling and His voice. If we are not aligned then the slight whispers of protection and prosperity might be obscured, but He is a loving Father and will continually pursue us.
While being in the presence of God, and creating a relationship with God, and aligning ourselves with God we will be able to connect with him throughout the day and in the midst of daily living. As Matthew states, we do not have give many words to God as prayers, but be earnest and sincere and connect with the Father and He already knows your desires and petitions of your heart.
Dear God,
Allow us to speak and hear your will. Amen