Before You Pray

“‘And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.’” Matt 6:7-8 (NIV)

Before you pray, consider the One you are praying to. God has invited you into the most amazing conversation you will ever have. Prayer is having face-time with the One who designed you. God thought of you long before you thought of Him. You are privileged with the communication that will continue for eternity. Your love relationship with God is continual, perpetual, and eternal.

God does not respond to your prayer based on the number of words you articulate. Unleashing a barrage of words does not give you favor with God. The prayer relationship God invites you into does not depend on excessive verbiage, but rather on the sufficiency of God’s omniscience. God knows everything about you and every detail of every situation surrounding your life. God is fully aware of your current reality. He knows where you have been, where you are, and where you are going. God knows your inmost fears and frustrations.

Don’t be like the pagan who thinks he will be heard because of his catalogue of words. God knows exactly what you need before you ask Him. Prayer is not bringing God up on your circumstances, but bringing you up on God and His sovereignty over your circumstances.

When you pray, be mindful of God’s activity in your life. Be alert to the awesome nature and character of God. The reality of prayer is an abiding comfort in that your lifeline to God is always connected. You have direct access to the One who gave His one and only Son to grant that access. What will you do with the honor and privilege of prayer?

Pursuing God,

Stephen Trammell
Executive Pastor
Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell