My Daily Journal:
I’m really feeling for the Teaching Leaders this week and their closing prayer. I’m guessing they will all be short and to the point with no “babbling”. 🙂
But with prayer and giving, I think we need to be careful not to get confused. The emphasis is not on secrecy, it is on honoring and glorifying God. Someone can give / donate secretively without it giving glory to God. Sometimes we can get so wrapped up in the secrecy that lessons are missed. I think it is important for our children to learn the importance of tithing and to know their parents honor God that way. They is not to bring glory to the parents, it is an example that is set that is in accordance with the scriptures. I think it is also important that our children and spouses see us study the scriptures and pray.
I also don’t read this passage as an indictment against rote / memorized prayer. Praying the scriptures can be a very important and meaningful method of praying and one Jesus modeled and taught us to use. I don’t think chanting something makes it have magical powers. But I think relying on the comfort of scripture-based prayers, either spoken or in song, can be an important way of conversing with and honoring the Lord. David seemed to do a lot of this in the Psalms.
I also liked that the Luke passage was brought in. We are not supposed to beg in prayer, just like we don’t want our children to give us puppy dog eyes and says “please, please, please, please, please…” That is annoying and not honoring. But it is appropriate that every time a thought or need ways on our mind and heart we turn that over to God. If I am have fears or worries about something, I’m to trust God with that every time it comes into my consciousness. There is nothing wrong with persistence.
My Answers:
6.
a.
do not keep babbling like pagans, thinking they will be heard for their many words. God knows what you need before you ask Him.
b.
no babbling. Trust God and say what needs to be said, period. But pray each time it comes to mind/heart
c.
More trust and conversation, less begging and whining
7.
God you are holy and above all. I long for your rule over both heaven and earth. Fulfill my daily needs, forgive my transgressions but hold me accountable to honor you in my thoughts and actions. Protect me from temptation and evil and save me from sin
8.
a.
Prayer is a personal conversation with my Lord and King. I need to be honoring and respectful and trusting and humble. All is in His power and I need to trust all to Him.
b.
To be persistent but not begging. To trust Him, but to also clearly and repeatedly ask for His intervention
c.
I talk with God in quiet ways and turn to Him in obedience, but I don’t journal the way I should or set a time of disciplined daily prayer
The Notes are Good 