“Teach Us to Pray”

Matthew 6: 7, 8: “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition, as the Gentiles do, for they suppose they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need, before you ask Him.” Prayer is not giving God unknown information; no such data exists. Prayer is not preaching; thus, one praying need not try to impress anyone else in the circle. Prayer is not an event; prayer is a life that comes from the heart, not the tongue. Prayer is not giving God our spiritual (or otherwise) wish list, from which any little detail we leave off goes unheeded by Him. Understanding these things will lessen the time spent in what we call “formal prayer”, and enhance our relationship with God.