Sometimes I am in awe at the eloquence of some people's prayers. The words flow like a steady stream, seemingly as if there is no end. I can't help but be impressed and wonder how blessed of God they must be to be able to pray like that. I then sadly compare them with my stuttering prayers, and immediately feel inept.
However, when I get to know some of these gifted people, I am shocked to find out that some of them do not have a lifestyle or exhibit Christlike characteristics that match their prayer life. Ironically, their own lives are a total mess in desperate need of prayer!
Prayer is only powerful and effective when the person is living in obedience to God. God sees the heart and we only hear the words.
"Therefore confess your sins to each other
and pray for each other
so that you may be healed.
The prayer of a righteous person
is powerful and effective."
James 5:16 (NIV)
It is more important that our prayers, whether they are simple and the words are few, or softly spoken in the privacy of our closet, come from hearts that are in total love with God, and not ourselves.
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