The Wisdom of Short Prayers
Soul Snack 179/14 ... Can you speak too much in prayer would seem a sensible sequel to yesterday's SoulSnack Can You Pray Too Much.
A certain group of religious leaders were legendary for their hollow hearts and wordy prayers. Jesus speaks judgement over them:
"They (the teachers of the law) devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.” (Mark 12:40)
Where there are many words sin is not far away.
Too much talk is too much opportunity for sin.
When words are many, sin is not absent... (Proverbs 10:19)
God is not heartened by many words or the strength of the mouth; but He does delight in the sincere soul.
Do not strive for verbosity lest your mind be distracted from devotion by the search for words... wordiness in prayer often subjects the mind to great distraction... ~ John Climacus
Quality prayerful devotions are offered when quality time with the Lord is strived for.
Rushing through time with God means I will too only rush through my words, and by default become ill-considered. Choose to neither give God cheap time or cheap words.
The heart for prayer is nurtured when words are used with discretion.
Prayer is no opportunity to impress God, merely to press in to God.
Today's Soul Snippet:
"The true church is born from above. In it there are no sinners, and outside of it no saints." ~ Leonard Ravenhill
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