I remember a story I heard when I was newly converted that has governed my prayer life for over sixty-plus years. It seems a great old prayer warrior was sharing a room with a novice Christian in a Bible conference. The youthful believer had heard the reputation of the elder’s prayer life, and so he undressed slowly that he might observe the sacred sight of the old man agonizing in prayer by his bedside. But to his amazement the aged one got into bed, pulled the sheets up, and as he turned his night light out said, “Good night, Jesus.” The young man then confessed his surprise to the aged one, telling him what he had expected; to which the silver headed saint replied, “Son, when you talk to the Lord all day there is nothing left to say at bedtime but, “Good night, Jesus”.
A.W. Pink says, “Wordy prayers are usually windy ones.” To be sure, Jesus connected "long prayers" with those with whom we would not like to be associated. Our Lord tells us we are not heard for our “…much speaking.” Brevity seems to be best. A lot of short prayers with meaning are better than one long prayer without significance. The prophets of Baal prayed from morning to evening and the heavens were brass unto them. Elijah’s prayer contained only sixty three words, but the fire fell.
When Christ was teaching His disciples to pray, He put all they should say into five short verses (Matt.6:9-13). Evidently God meant the wise man’s admonition, “…let thy words be few,” to cover our prayer life also. Jesus’ all night prayer was the exception to the rule.
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All I can say is AMEN!! and thank you.
So very true, Dad. Thank you.