14/11/2024
: PRAY AND DO NOT REPEAT EMPTY WORDS (PART 2)
In Matthew 6v7 it is written: "When you pray, do not multiply empty words like the pagans who imagine that they will be answered with words. In the first article of this series we have pointed out the obvious contradiction between the usual interpretation that most of us made of this verse and the life of prayer of Jesus.
In reality, this text of Matthew 6v7 does not forbid us to make long prayers or to spend long moments. This text does not recommend that we specialize only in short and brief prayers. Nor is it a question of proscribing the repetition of the same words in prayer or prohibiting the practice of praying several times for the same subject.
In fact, for each of his points, Jesus had a different opinion since he allowed himself to spend long moments in prayer including hours and whole nights (Luke 6v12); he even trained his disciples to do the same (Matthew 26v40-42) and the Lord himself often repeated the same words in his prayer times (Matthew 26v44).
So what did he mean in Matthew 6v7? Note that the verse does not say: “When praying, do not multiply words” it says instead: “When praying, do not multiply empty words”.
For a vain word is one which is useless, unfruitful from the point of view of God. Here are four things that could characterize this kind of speech. First, a vain word does not fit with the Holy Scriptures, for remember that we must address God by reviving his memory, that is, by reminding him of what he has said and promised (Isaiah 43v26)
Second, a vain word is one that is not inspired by the Holy Spirit. Let us not forget that it is written: "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know what to ask in our prayers" (Romans 8v26a).
Thirdly, a vain word lacks faith. If we say in our prayers phrases that are not marked by faith, they are useless words because: «But without faith it is impossible to be pleasing to him» (Hebrews 11v6a).
Fourthly, a vain word expresses more our vanity, our pride, our desire to be seen, listened and appreciated by men (Matthew 6v5) than the simplicity and sincerity of a heart that knows how to humble itself before its creator: «... God, I give thanks that I am not like the rest of men, who are raptors, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector; I fast twice a week, I give the tithe of all my income." (Luke 18:11-12)
Thus, if our words are based on the scriptures, on divine promises; if they are full of faith and inspired by the Holy Spirit I doubt very much that they displease God even if they are repeated an entire night: Words full of charm bubbling in my heart. My work is for the king, I say: Let my tongue be like the pen of a skilled writer!" (Psalm 45v2).
God bless you!
By Eudes Léonel OTIRA
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