Topic: Simple, Believing Prayer [Joyce Meyer Devotional 17 August 2020]
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And when you pray, do not heap up phrases (multiply words, repeating the same ones over and over) as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard for their much speaking.— Matthew 6:7 (AMPC)
We’ve got to develop confidence in simple, believing prayer. We need to know that even if we simply say, “God, help me,” He hears and will answer us. Thankfully, we can depend on God to be faithful to do what we’ve asked Him to do, as long as our request lines up with His will. Too often we get so caught up in our own works and ideas about prayer that we lose sight of the fact that prayer is just talking with Jesus.
The length or volume or eloquence of our prayer is not what God wants— it’s the sincerity of our heart and the confidence we have that He’ll hear and answer us that are important to Him. Sometimes we try to sound so devout and elegant that we get lost, but when we get free from trying to impress God, we’re a lot better off.
First Thessalonians 5:17 (AMPC) says, “Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]” or as the King James Version puts it, “Pray without ceasing.” If we don’t understand simple, believing prayer, that instruction can feel like a very heavy burden. We might feel that we’re doing well to pray a few minutes a day, but how could we possibly pray without stopping? We need to have such confidence about our prayer life that prayer becomes just like breathing; a constant, unforced thing that we do every moment we’re alive.
I believe as we grow to really understand the power of simple, believing prayer, prayer will become more and more natural to us. Prayer is made powerful by the sincerity of it, the faith behind it, and God’s faithfulness to act on our behalf. Thank You, Jesus!
Prayer Starter: Father, please help me to pray simply and honestly, knowing that You’re listening and working on my behalf. Thank You for being so faithful to meet my needs, and for wanting a real, authentic relationship with me. In Jesus’ Name, amen