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conversations with God

Matthew 6:7&8
"7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him."

Jesus is teaching His disciples how to pray. His first lesson is don't show off. Your prayers are communication with God. You want to have a heart-to-heart with God. In fact, we want to shut ourselves away, free from distractions and external pressures, to focus on communicating with our heavenly Father. Anytime we mouth words towards God, but we are really trying to impress other people, we are insulting God.

Jesus's next lesson on prayer is in today's verses. "But when ye pray, use NOT vain REPETITIONS, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him."

Theologian Charles Spurgeon says it best, "Christians’ prayers are measured by weight, and not by length. Many of the most prevailing prayers have been as short as they were strong.” We will frequently focus on style over substance. The more we pay attention to Jesus's teaching, the more we will see that God is looking into our hearts. God is most concerned with what your motivations are. So, we want to keep our prayers as our conversations with God honest and sincere. It really comes down to our relationship with God. Keeping that strong and healthy. Not letting the evils of our culture taint our prayers.
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