Tom Barnard

“For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few. For a dream

comes through much activity, and a fool’s voice is known by his many words.”

(Ecclesiastes 5:2, 3)

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus spoke about prayer and included a model prayer for his disciples to follow. He warned his listeners about things to avoid: “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward” (Matt. 6:5). Instead, Jesus said we should go into a room, shut the door, and pray to the Father in secret. He continued,

“And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” (Matt. 6:7, 8)

I have heard so many political speeches recently that I have wanted to say, “Wait just a minute. You said that yesterday (and the day before that and the day before that). I’m tired of hearing your vain repetitions! When you have something new to say, I’ll listen again.” Imagine what God must think when we go to Him hourly or daily with the same, drawn-out repetitions. I want to echo Solomon’s observation: “A fool’s voice is known by his many words.”

Jesus wanted his followers (and us) to know that when we pray, no advance notice or buildup time is necessary. Our Father knows what we need before we engage our minds and He is already preparing an answer—even before we think of the question to ask. How good is that?

As the old expression says, “Let’s cut to the chase.” So I will.

Father in heaven, I’ll be brief. You know what my needs are. I believe you are already at work in my behalf with a timely response. I rest on your integrity. I trust in your Word. I just want to say today that I will honor your wisdom in whatever you allow to come my way, because you know what is best for me. Please accept my humble praise for the ways you have helped in the past and for the ways you will continue to help me today and in the future. This prayer comes straight from my heart. Amen.