Do not keep on babbling like pagans…
Summary: God is actually quite generous with clear instructions for living the way he wants us to live. Today’s meditation looks at a simple but important principle to keep in mind when we come before God in prayer.
There is one more “How To” instruction Jesus gives us about praying. It is one of the “Don’t’s.”
Jesus tells us:
“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.” (Matthew 6: 7-8)
Now I have to confess that I have not spent much time around babbling pagans. At least, not that I know of. (I have been in a lot of meetings where people didn’t seem to be making much sense, but I think that is a different thing.)
The only example that comes to mind at the moment is the story of Elijah challenging the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18: 16-46). In the story, the pagan priests (the rabble) spend the whole day, from morning until the evening sacrifice, calling to their god. They shouted and shouted, but there was no response. Elijah, in his turn, prays fifty-eight words spoken at God’s command. When Elijah speaks, God reveals his power:
“Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.” (1 Kings 18: 38)
God does not need us to tell him what to do. Jesus says, “… your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” This does not mean that he doesn’t want us to share our concerns or open our hearts up to him. He does. But there is a proper attitude for God’s children when they come before him. We do not come with pride in our hearts or arrogance. We do not come before God because we are so smart. We come before him as children who need their father to give them what they need. Since God knows what we need, what we are really doing is acknowledging that God is God and we are not.
Don’t know what to say? Jesus gives us the words for our prayer in the Lord’s Prayer, but there are other ways to spend time with God. The psalmist writes:
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble. (Psalm 46: 1)
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46: 10)
It is okay to simply sit with God and feel his presence. There is an amazing calm that comes with knowing God is God. The “peace of God, which passes all understanding” (Philippians 4:7 RSV) washes over us and fills us, driving out worry and fear.
Application: Take a minute and simply focus on being in God’s presence.
Food for Thought: How does it feel knowing that God already “knows what you need?”
I honestly feel a great sense of safety and gratitude. Safety because despite what I think I need, God knows what I need and when. Gratitude because I can come before Him and ask, and if it is not His will, He will let me know His will. Grateful that I don’t have to ask “perfectly.” I feel safe and grateful that God already has a plan that works for good. I feel safe and grateful that God is leading me to His will and His plan.
Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
Chris,
In these troubled times a sense of safety is priceless. We certainly won’t find that feeling with any worldly comfort!
It certainly simplifies things. I don’t need to explain anything to God. He knows exactly how I feel and what I need.
It always amazes me that Jesus took time to grieve with people before raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11). Since He knew it would end in joy and resurrection, why did He grieve with people first?
I think He knows we need Him to be present in our grief and pain. He is. He knows what we need and we can trust Him to be there when we need Him and provide for that need – not only with resurrection power, but also with the power of His presence and compassion.
Rich,
I love that you point out that it “simplifies things.” I am known for making things complicated. Verrrry complicated!! 🙂 Even though I like to make things complicated, when it comes to getting my needs met simple is best!
It helps keep me in line, even though I have been known to cross it.
I wonder sometimes if I am one of those pagan’s praying to the crew every morning. The words do change up, but mainly always asking for confidence, assurance, and safety along with the for the members in the crew not to bury their skills and talents.
Every Thursday there is a guy in the neighborhood that walks his dog and he shows up every Thursday for prayer. Like clock work,..he appreciates it and always say’s thank you,.. such an enjoyment to have him arrive, he is welcomed by the crew as well as myself, and his dog gets a lot of love scratching’s
As far as knowing that God knows already what I need, it brings comfort and assurance to my life, but I still find myself asking Him for more of what I want than what I need. I find myself thanking Him for the forgiveness of my sin when I find myself being selfish in my prayer’s. I know He understands me and where I stand in this world full of temptations that make the line easy to cross to commit the sin.
He knew I would need every bit of 1 John 1:9 and then some. Since I am is a Romans 3:23 and thankful for Romans 6:23, John 3:16 and a bunch of others that make me realize just who I am in Chirst, a sinner that’s been set free. He knew I needed that, and I have been reminded by that with every step of that bloody trail to the cross.
Thank you, John!
I love the verses you referenced:
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
10-21-2022, Matthew 6:7-8, How does it feel knowing that God already “knows what you need?”
As the father of three children, I often knew what my children were going to ask for before they asked. I would wait for them to ask so I could show them I was approachable, demonstrate the high priority I placed in their company, enjoy which I would enjoyed as we would have a dialog regarding their desires. My love never as I always did what was best for them by giving and withholding according to my judgement.
I am satisfied knowing our Father in heaven will always do what is best for us.
“‘I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.”
2 Corinthians 6:17-18
If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!, Matthew 7:11
Ron,
Great illustration! Sometimes we have to wait for them to come to us. That is even more true when they move out on their own. Yet as a father, we always want what is best for our kids. Waiting for opportunities to show our love for them can require patience. 🙂
I’ve always been encouraged, not only by God already knowing my needs, but also God already knowing all of my flaws.
I never have to keep straight what He knows. I never have to worry about Him getting suddenly furious because I told Him something I did. He already knows it all. He loved me before, and He knew it all then, He still loves me after.
God seems to delight in us learning. I tend to pray for a lot of wants, but I take that as a learning moment. “This, I prayed for this, but I need to recognize that it is a want not a need. But God, please?” It’s not bad to want, but it’s bad to elevate a desire to the status of need.
I often think of Daniel, how the angel is sent when the prayer begins, and spiritual things aren’t magic and instant, just invisible. It took time and effort for him to arrive and give the reply. God could do things on His own, but He likes community, He likes teaching. He wants us involved, so how often is His reply held off until we ask? How often do we delay the very need we have because of pride or fear?