But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen
do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. (Mat 6:7)
Firstly, Jesus told us ‘when ye pray’, meaning that He
expects us to pray. Prayer is the breathing out and breathing in for every
child of God. Prayer keeps us from falling prey to temptation (Matt 26:41, Mark
14:38). We shouldn't be presumptuous to think that we will pray at the time of
greatest need. It is a practice and way of life, ‘pray without ceasing’ is a
realm that a child of God need to constantly remain (1 Th 5:17). This active
spirit removes shallowness and builds depth into us and out of our depths we
are able to connect with God’s depth (Psa 42:7). Too much knowledge no matter
how pure and good, without praying truths into formation in us will remain at
the mind to puff us up.
O
God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my
flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; (Psa 63:1)
Even if we do pray, Jesus tells us that we can also take the
same pathway as the heathen. Prayer is both seeking from God and seeking for
God, sadly the latter is lacking in many Christians. The flesh and soul need to
brought under the subjection and authority of the spirit in order to pray, it
is an attitude that is humble enough to recognize that we do not know how to pray
(Rom 8:26). The journey of prayer cannot be taught, but layered by experience. It
is a relationship and spiritual connection with the Father. God is spirit; any
relating to the Father in prayer has zero elements of flesh and soul. It is not
about our concern, it is about His will. The Father has sovereignly given us
the privilege to pray His will to be accomplished on earth as it is in Heaven.
What if we say ‘God already knows, why pray?’ Nobody will and
can thwart His plans, it is in prayer that we are included into that which He
has purposed. If we don’t pray, He will raise others and we can be forfeited of
the joy of that inclusion.
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