HomeWord - Aug. 5, 2009

Let My Words Be Few 
This devotional was written by Leslie Snyder

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 in heaven knows what you need before you ask him. —Matthew 6:7-8

Simple prayers say it best. Regarding prayer, one person said, “Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one’s weaknesses. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart.”

Consider the following quotes:

“Let me remain as empty as possible so that God can fill me up.” Mother Theresa

“Dear God, I like the Lord’s prayer best of all. Did you have to write it a lot or did you get it right the first time? I have to write everything I ever write over again.”  Lois^*

“Dear God, Did you mean for the giraffe to look like that or was it an accident?” Norma^*

Too often we get caught up in over thinking our prayers, and can become paralyzed, preventing us from simply, but boldly, going to God in prayer. Rather than coming before God with the cries of our heart, we struggle to find the right words and, out of frustration, forgo opportunities to talk to God. Be reminded today that simple prayers are often best. Remember the simplicity of how Jesus instructed His disciples to pray:

Our Father in heaven, 
Hallowed be your name, 
Your kingdom come, 
Your will be done 
On earth as it is in heaven. 
Give us today our daily bread. 
Forgive us our debts, 
As we also have forgiven our debtors. 
And lead us not into temptation, 
But deliver us from the evil one. 
Matthew 6:9-13

GOING DEEPER:  

Too often, we get caught up in saying the right words in prayer instead of just praying. Today, just pray.

FURTHER READING: 
Romans 8:26; Psalm 28:6-7

*Children’s Letters to God by Stuart Hample and Eric Marshall; Workman Publishing, 1991

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