Today’s scripture: Matthew 6:5-8 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Cheryl Stonestreet):
I’ve never been the type of person who can pray publicly. I’m not even very good at saying grace out loud if there is another person at the table.
But that’s not to say I don’t pray. I’ve prayed my share of foxhole prayers: “God get me out of this and I’ll. . . .” I’ve prayed prayers on the spot, driving by auto accidents and praying for the victims and rescuers. I’ve prayed for family and friends to get through illnesses and surgeries. I’ve had times in my life where I had no words, and all I could pray was, “Help.”
And in turn I’ve been left speechless by the majesty of God’s intervention in my life, and all I could say was, “Thank you.” Once I heard a woman say that prayer was how she brings God into her life, as close to her as her own breath. I don’t think I’ve ever heard it put so beautifully.
Today’s passage offers indisputable assurance that God wants to have a personal relationship with us. Jesus tells us so. He tells us that loud pretentious prayers do not flatter our Creator. We don’t need to have a large and flowery vocabulary to talk to God. God just wants us to open up, sincerely and privately. God meets us where we are.
God already knows what we need before we pray for it, but wants to feel our love reciprocated. God, our provider, also wants to be God, our companion.
Thought for the day: Plain, simple, honest — these are the prayers that bring us into the presence of God.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.