“When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the gentiles do, for they think that 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
Perhaps, the best prayer may be one of silence. Jesus own prayer hints at what feeds prayer - an attitude of praising God, desiring the kingdom of love, peace and justice to come on earth, trying to unite our desires with the desires of God for us and for the world, and to rest in our efforts to forgive others.
One spiritual teacher’s advice about learning to pray is to pray the Lord’s Prayer, and take an hour to say it. He continues, “There is no word or phrase in it which does not repay you if you mine it for meaning, and savour it: for instance Our – not just my father, for I share You with the human race. Is there anyone whom I feel uneasy to claim as a sister or brother? Take the prayer slowly, breathing slowly as you relish it and are led into its depths.”
A lot of religion and faith-practice is personal, known by few others. Jesus praises that, not that religion should not be public, but that it not be practiced for any reason other than for God and for the good of others. We pray because we need God, and we pray because God is God. Maybe you might offer prayer today for the praise and glory of God and no other reason.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of prayer and how I praise and thank You that You are a God Who hears and answers the cries of Your children. Keep me low at the Cross and broken before You, and help me to walk in spirit and truth all the days of my life. Teach me to pray into Your perfect will, and not yearn for the approval of others. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.
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