Matthew 6:7 NASB
And when you are praying,
do not use meaningless repetition
as the Gentiles do,
for they suppose
that they will be heard
for their many words.
Devotional
Not every long prayer is condemned in the above words.
However, the needless and without seriousness of repeating phrases and matters in prayer is rejected.
No vain twaddle of words should be found in approaching God in prayer. If we were to address the king, we wouldn’t make unnecessary use of repetitions, would we?
He who uses a vain tale of words does as the heathen do.
Thus we read of the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel that they prayed from morning to noon, saying: ‘O Baal, answer us.
In view of the Saviour’s explicit warning, the Jews were no stranger to this pagan custom.
One can also think of praying in the Roman Catholic Churches: repeating the same prayer many times, often thoughtlessly.
Also among us is the thought that a multitude of words could please the Lord and bring about His favour. Jesus says: “Don’t!”
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