Matthew 6:7-8: “When you pray, don’t babble like the Gentiles, since they imagine they’ll be heard for their many words. Don’t be like them, because your Father knows the things you need before you ask him.”
Have your kids tried to convince you to buy them something? It is an acquired skill. I have watched it at Disney as a resident of Orlando, Fl. Mine eyes have witnessed kids develop an ability to erode the restraint of a resolved parent. I have listened to the young minds begin to frame arguments, exert pressure, interact with the reasoning of an adult, and deliver winning rhetoric to an unappreciative parent. Please mom! Please Dad! Let’s face it. Three year olds learn quickly how to use their words to get what they want. The reward is holding the toy in their hand or the tasting the treat in their mouth.
Our Father has witnessed similar conversations in the context of prayer. We want something and indeed we may need something. We begin to cry out to our Father to provide it. Jesus coaches us to be aware of our words. The Father does not appreciate babbling, the endless espousing of many words concerning the request with the belief that these many words will erode the Father’s reluctance to answer. Many words do not equate to answered prayers. Jesus clarified: “Don’t be like them.”
When you pray, pray with the constant awareness that the Father knows what we need before we ask. We do not twist God’s arm to answer. Think for a moment about your most meaningful prayer request right now. God knows about it. God created the need so that He can show you His grace and His glory in providing. You do not have to learn a style of arguing in order to get God to answer. He knows. Ask Him and He will answer.