“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get.”
Matthew 6:5 NLT
Ritualistic prayers, done to be observed by others, generally don’t do anything. Unless we’re authentically and intentionally connecting to the Father, we’re just wasting time.
“But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”
Matthew 6:6 NLT
When you’re alone, you’re your most authentic self. That’s the best time to connect to the Father. No one is watching. No one is judging. The Father, who loves you with unfailing love, wants to genuinely connect with you.
He’s not afraid of what you might say. He can handle your unfiltered thoughts and emotions. In fact, I think He prefers it that way. He already knows everything. He just wants to connect with us at the heart level.
“When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again.”
Matthew 6:7 NLT
Prayer is a conversation with the Divine. He’s a living being. How many of us like to hear someone repeat the same thing over and over again?
“Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!”
Matthew 6:8 NLT
God already knows what we need. He just wants us to ask Him for it. If you were a father and you knew that your child was hungry, would you force feed them against their will? Or would you wait until they were ready to receive with gladness? God is a gentleman. He doesn’t violate our free will.
When we want what God wants, we are in agreement with God’s will. More than anything, He simply wants us to walk with Him. He provides everything we need. We simply need to ask.
Connecting with God in prayer is as simple as expressing your heart to Him. When you know that God is all-powerful, all-knowing and filled with compassion and mercy, it makes it easier to simply talk with Him as you would a loving father who is always there to help you.
God wants to hear from you.
Prayer Points
- Ask God to increase your desire to connect with Him in prayer.
- Thank God for everything He’s done in your life.
- Ask God for whatever you need.
Pray like this:
Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.
Matthew 6:9-13 NLT
Recommended reading: Matthew 6.
Igniter Ministries 