30th.: Vain Repetitions
Jesus once taught, “… men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” (Luke 18:1).
He illustrated this concept with a parable of a woman who pestered a judge to avenge her (see Luke 18:2-7).
She must have pestered that judge for
weeks,
months
years,
perhaps longer.
It was the same the exact same request,
perhaps using almost the same exact words.
In a different sermon, Jesus cautioned,
“But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do. For they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.” (Matt. 6:7).
Does Jesus’ caution contradict what the above mentioned widow did?
Many people think they should repeat a certain phrase, or group of words, multiple times to gain God’s attention.
Jesus commented about this practice, “For they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.”
Do these people believe that repeating the phrase(s) will cast something like a spell over God, or is a formula that manipulates God?
If so, their trust is in the phrases, and/or their own resolve, and not God.
According to Jesus, repeating such phrases, or clauses, or sentences, over and over does not move God in the slightest.
This is not the same as repeating an actual, specific, heartfelt, request multiple times, over multiple days, to God.
Jesus encourages us to repeat our actual request, multiple times, if need be.
For example, David had to repeat a question to get an answer from God, (see 1st Sam. 23:10-12).
God wants us to trust Him, and not anything, or anyone else.
“I intreated thy favour with my whole heart.” (Ps. 119:58a)