LESSONS IN PRAYER # III – WORDS HAVE WEIGHT

The LORD Jesus, continuing to exhort the disciples, speaks about the significance of words in prayer. Words that we use, even in any normal conversation, have INTENT, PURPOSE and MEANING. This is amplified in prayer. The reason? Simply because, prayer is a ‘conversation’ with the LORD God Almighty!

The words of Jesus, recorded in Matthew 6:7 gives us a clear picture – “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.”

Prayer is not some chant, nor it is some magical incantations. Every word we use has a PURPOSE and a MEANING to it. The LORD is not so much concerned about flowery language and refined expression, as He is with our heart and what we mean. If not so, the Word of God would have recorded Romans 8:26 in a different way – “26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” Words and groanings have meaning.

Let us be mindful, to make prayer meaningful, and not make prayer some sort of, mechanical and auto response voice recording, that keeps on repeating mindlessly, regardless of the situation and the context. Even if few, but meaningful words, are what the LORD wants. Even unutterable groanings will also do, but certainly not, vain and worthless words.