What Jesus Did! 'Few Words Are Needed' — Matthew 6:7-8

Monday, March 10, 2025

[Jesus continued:] "When you pray, don't babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don't be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!"
— Matthew 6:7-8 NLT

Key Thought

The Stoic philosopher Seneca made fun of the pagans of his day "fatiguing the gods" with their prayers. Jesus warns his followers not to follow the same course. Senseless babbling and the heaping up of repetitious phrases do not win us an audience with God. Prayer is not about magic formulas or fancy speech. Prayer is about our confidence in the Father's knowing us and responding to our needs. With this understanding, our words don't need to be special or effusive, just heartfelt and genuine! And sometimes, words are not even needed (Romans 8:26-27).

Today's Prayer

Holy and righteous Father, thank you for hearing my simple words that come from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for blessings. Please forgive me for my sins and guard me from evil. Use me in astounding ways that bring you glory! Empower me to do your will. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

11 Related Resources by Heartlight

God Knows, but Still Wants You to Pray
Devo: Spiritual Warfare
"When you pray, go to your room and close the door. Pray privately to your Father who is with you. Your Father sees what you do in private. He will..."
With Arms Uplifted and On Our Knees
Article by Phil Ware
God is faithful to us through all the seasons of our lives. He isn't a fair-weather God. Phil Ware invites us to share in prayer in all the seasons of life and especially know we have an all-season God who longs to hear our prayers, especially prayers for a change in our world's messes.
How Much Does He Know?
Article by Paul Faulkner
Does God really know all about me? Paul Faulkner talks about God knowing all about us and still loving us immensely and how his love is better than the best dad and compensates for the worst dad.
Don't Be a Show-Off!
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Disciple, I have a question: Why are you doing spiritual things? Are you trying to impress someone and prove you are religious? Are you trying....."
See All 11 Related Resources about Matthew 6:7-8

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 6:7-8 NLT — They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, March 10, 2025

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'How to Handle Money'
"Dear Child of the Father in Heaven, In My earthly ministry, I taught My disciples these essential truths:Some people store up treasures in their..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Isaiah 43:6
"Although this message was sent to the south, and referred to the seed of Israel, it may profitably be a summons to ourselves. Backward we are..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'A Foretaste of Future Glory!' (Ro. 8:22-23)
"For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the..."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Amos 5:14
"Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!