A number of years ago I attended a Thanksgiving eve service. The pastor invited the congregation to lift up prayers of thankfulness. There was an uncomfortable silence for a number of minutes before a tiny voice from somewhere in the back said, “Thank you for my Sunday School teacher, Mrs. Webb.” That quiet and humble prayer gave others the courage to voice their prayers. Obviously this boy had a relationship with God and he knew God was listening. The boy knew he only had to say a few words and God would understand. The child did not feel the need to give any verbose details, just a simple thank you.
This story reminds me how Jesus wants me to talk to Him, to pray to Him, all day long. He wants me to build my relationship with Him by conversing with Him, using my own simple words. My obedient behavior tells God I trust Him.
The words written in the Message translation reveal the prayer of the young boy was right on. “The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply.” Matthew 6:7-8 (Message)
Read the entire Scripture in Matthew 6:7-14 at Biblegateway.
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