Not Long or Loud

by Web Admin, 1 year ago

Elijah and the pagan prophets had a...

Today's Devotional By:  Dr. David Michael Jeremiah

Today's Devotional Scriptures:  Matthew 6:5

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"And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. . . . [or] use vain repetitions as the heathen do." - Matthew 6:5

Recommended Reading: Luke 18:10-14 - 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

 Elijah and the pagan prophets had a powerful encounter on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18). 

The true deity—the God of Israel or Baal—would prove Himself by sending fire to consume a sacrifice. The pagan prophets spent the entire day calling upon Baal, to no avail. They shouted, danced, and cut themselves, all for the purpose of getting their god’s attention—and he never responded.

Pagan worshipers spent much of their time seeking to gain the attention of their deity in order to receive his favor and blessing. Some of this mentality had apparently worked its way into Jewish religious life. Jesus warned His audiences against praying like pagans: making a spectacle in public, babbling the same words over and over, trying to impress God and gain His favor (Matthew 6:5-7). Jesus said, “Do not be like them” (Matthew 6:8). Instead, pray to God as you would talk to a father: “Our Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:9).

We get God’s ear as His child when we come to Him in the Name of His Son, not because we pray long and loud prayers.

All that needs to be spoken or written about prayer is in the Bible. -E. F. Hallock

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Credits & Acknowledgements to:davidjeremiah.org