Where is our focus when we pray to God? Is it on ourselves or God?
Matthew 6:7
Jesus instructs his disciples not to babble in prayer. Jesus is telling us not to pray like the pagans did. When we pray we should be aware of who we are praying to: God.
Pagans probably prayed to many of their gods and to no one in particular. They probably wished one of their gods would answer their plea. This isn’t how Christians should pray.
We aren’t meant to be lost in who we are addressing with the assumption that we may be ignored. Instead, we should know that the one Triune God is always present. God will answer; just not in our terms.
This doesn’t necessarily mean we are meant to be very ordered in our thoughts as we pray. We may not know how to express our emotions. But as long as we know that we are praying to “Our Father in heaven” we are fine with “babbling” in our expressing ourselves to God.
In our prayers today, let us focus our attention first on God and know that he always hears us and will answer us. Then we can begin expressing our minds with the knowledge of who it is we are speaking to.
Related Reflections
Do Not Burden God • Luke 10:40
Are we letting our problems overcome how we approach Jesus in prayer?
Attentive to God • Matthew 23:3
Are we following God speaking to us through people or just a person who lacks God?
