Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples, “Be you therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect”, and he continued, “take heed that you do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise you have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when you do your alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when you do alms, let not your left hand know what your right hand does. That your alms may be in secret: and your Father which sees in secret himself shall reward you openly.” Jesus added, “And when you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father which is in secret; and your Father which sees in secret shall reward you openly”, and in chapter six and verse seven of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples how some people who pray, “think that they shall be heard for their much speaking” where we read:
But when you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do:
for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
The verse reads, “But when you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do:” Matthew began with the words, “but” which means “moreover and” “when” or “at the time and moment” “you pray” which means “the disciples supplicate, worship and make prayers”, “use not” or “do not stutter, prate tediously and stammer” “vain repetitions” or “to repeat the same things over and over, to use many idle words and to babble”, “as the heathen do” which means “like or in the same manner as Gentiles, pagans and peculiar people”. Jesus told His disciples not to “prate and babble the same things over and over using idle words” when they “pray”.
The verse goes on to say, “for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.” Matthew added the word, “for” which means “because, since, on account that and consequently” “they think” or “those who use vain repetitions like the pagans are of the opinion, seem, judge and repute that” “they shall be heard” which means “those who use vain repetitions will be given heed, complied with, obeyed, assented to and receive requests granted” “for their much speaking” or “because, since and on account of those who use vain repetitions prolixity, windiness and verbosity”. Jesus shared how people who “pray with lots of words” believe their “verbosity” will gain a better audience and reception with God.
When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus did not want His disciples to “pray” like people of the world. Some people believe if they “repeat” phases over and over again God will grant them greater attention. Jesus exhorted His disciples not to “pray” this way, and since God desires to have a relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, may all who read Jesus' words concerning prayer not only “hear” them, but also be obedient to His command.
Next time Jesus tells His disciples, “your Father knows what things you have need of”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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