The Power of Simple, Private Prayer
The Power of Simple, Private Prayer
Week 3, Day 5
Many Christians have very little faith that their prayers will be answered. When asked why, they often say, “Well, I just don't pray very well.” They reach this conclusion after attending a prayer meeting, a public worship service, or a Bible study where someone is called on to pray. That person stands up and offers a beautiful, articulate, perhaps even passionate prayer. The listener thinks, “Wow, that was a powerful prayer and I just can't pray like that.” Because they aren't as articulate or aren't comfortable speaking publicly, they assume their own prayers lack power.
But whether you are articulate or not, whether you communicate smoothly or not, or whether you can weave your words into something beautiful really has nothing to do with how powerful and effective your prayers are.
Jesus Himself addressed this very issue in Matthew 6:5–6:
But whether you are articulate or not, whether you communicate smoothly or not, or whether you can weave your words into something beautiful really has nothing to do with how powerful and effective your prayers are.
Jesus Himself addressed this very issue in Matthew 6:5–6:
When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
In this passage, Jesus isn't saying that anyone who prays beautifully in public is automatically a hypocrite. What He is highlighting is that the Pharisees who offered those impressive, articulate public prayers—prayers that wowed the crowds—did not impress God.
What impresses God is something far simpler: the person who goes into their room, into their closet, locks the door, and alone with Him, pours out a simple, childlike prayer. God says of the one who does this, “I want to reward them.”
So don't base your confidence in answered prayer on how articulate you are or how well you communicate. Instead, place your faith in a loving Father who delights to answer the simple prayers of His children.
What impresses God is something far simpler: the person who goes into their room, into their closet, locks the door, and alone with Him, pours out a simple, childlike prayer. God says of the one who does this, “I want to reward them.”
So don't base your confidence in answered prayer on how articulate you are or how well you communicate. Instead, place your faith in a loving Father who delights to answer the simple prayers of His children.
APPLICATION:
God isn’t impressed with how beautiful your prayers sound, but how sincere your heart is.
- Is there someone in your family or a friend who needs the Lord that you can pray for right now?
- Pray for our Commitment Sunday when our people bring their first fruits offerings toward our "Advancing the Kingdom” campaign. Ask God to pour out His generosity through His people.
- Ask God to speak to each of our church family and to tell them what He wants them to do to support this “Advancing the Kingdom” campaign.