PRAYING FROM THE HEART

“But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do:
for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.”
Matthew 6:7

It was a very long and tiring day.
A pastor had preached three sermons and dictated a stack of letters.
At the close of each letter he ended it,
“In Jesus’ name” followed by his name.
A man came to him at the end of a service and said,
“I must see you. I have a severe problem.”
The pastor was weary, but said,
“Very well, come on back, and let’s talk.”
He talked and the pastor listened.
The pastor’s heart was moved with compassion.
He said,
“Let me pray for you.”
And when he finished he said,
“In Jesus’ name” followed by his name.
Then he thought,
“Oh my! Did I say that? Did he hear me say that?”
How easily we use repetitive phrases in our prayers.
Of course there are some things we may find ourselves repeating,
but make sure the words never lose their meaning.

Do you find yourself using repetitive phrases in your prayer life?
Today, just talk with God.
Don’t think too much about your words.
Follow your heart.