A question about prayer...

[simpletrust]

When reading some of Matthew other day, I got a bit puzzled over a verse from this particular passage...

Matthew 6
5"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us today our daily bread.
12Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.[a]' 14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

The bit in bold is what confuses me. What does it mean by babbling? It makes me think of the way I tend to pray, and the way my friends from youthgroup seem to pray. The way we've been taught to pray. Pouring out our woes and thanks and praise to God. Is that babbling? Is that what we're warned against? Are we really meant to pray as simply as just saying the Lord's prayer, since God already knows what's on our minds?

 

[goldenviolet]

And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

When you pray, do not say the same thing over and over again making long prayers like the people who do not know God. They think they are heard because their prayers are long.

"And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.

"The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God.

And when you pray, do not heap up phrases (multiply words, repeating the same ones over and over) as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard for their much speaking.

all those above are taken from different versions. i have also seen the interpretation meaning " going on in vain just for show".

most people believe that we are being warned not to be fake or showy, but pray with our hearts (and not our selfish pride).

i personally pray the Lord's prayer so i am being obediant and thoughtful of what God has determined i'll need. but i pray on my own too. and when i pray for others i pray trying to think of words of comfort and encouragemnent to them.

God bless you for searching out God's word!

 

[lonnienord]

Talk with GOD as if HE is your DAD, your FRIEND. and listen!! have a conversation with GOD!! Make GOD the center of your life and talk with him constantly!!

 

[whitedove7]

To clarify:

In KJV it says repetition and not babbling. Here is the KJV - 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

The heathens will repeat over and over and over from their mind and not from their heart.

These careless words are closely connected with the multiplicity of words with which the pagans hope to be heard. They taught, as did some rabbis, that uninterrupted repetitions assured that prayer would be heard. It was not from the heart but words to repeat over and over. The Pharisees too usually prayed for a long time (Mark 12:40). Their prayers were formal, without paying too much attention to the content. The prayers were said instead of being prayed from the heart. Jesus condemns these practises.

 

[soblessed53]

Talk with GOD as if HE is your DAD, your FRIEND. and listen!! have a conversation with GOD!! Make GOD the center of your life and talk with him constantly!!

 

[superadria2686]

Talk with GOD as if HE is your DAD, your FRIEND. and listen!! have a conversation with GOD!! Make GOD the center of your life and talk with him constantly!!

that is so true!! That is how I talk to GOD!

 

[wayfaring man]

When reading some of Matthew other day, I got a bit puzzled over a verse from this particular passage...

Matthew 6
5"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us today our daily bread.
12Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.[a]' 14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

The bit in bold is what confuses me. What does it mean by babbling? It makes me think of the way I tend to pray, and the way my friends from youthgroup seem to pray. The way we've been taught to pray. Pouring out our woes and thanks and praise to God. Is that babbling? Is that what we're warned against? Are we really meant to pray as simply as just saying the Lord's prayer, since God already knows what's on our minds?

Greetings simpletrust , and all ,

Here's another passage of Scripture which fits with the idea of not repeating the same prayer request over and over , as if chanting those words could make God more mindful of them .

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. <-----> 1st John 5:15

I'm not sure what translation was used to render the word babbling ?

But below is the Greek word + it's definition , which is translated " vain repetitions " in the KJV .

G945
&#946;&#945;&#964;&#964;&#959;&#955;&#959;&#947;&#949;&#769;&#969;
battologeo&#772;
bat-tol-og-eh'-o
From &#914;&#945;&#769;&#964;&#964;&#959;&#962; Battos (a proverbial stammerer) and G3056; to stutter, that is, (by implication) to prate tediously: - use vain repetitions.

Main Entry: pro·ver·bi·al
Pronunciation: pr&-'v&r-bE-&l
Function: adjective
1 : of, relating to, or resembling a proverb
2 : that has become a proverb or byword : commonly spoken of - The proverbial smoking gun>

Quick definitions (stammer)
noun: a speech disorder involving hesitations and involuntary repetitions of certain sounds
verb: speak haltingly

Quick definitions (prate)
noun: idle or foolish and irrelevant talk
verb: speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly

Quick definitions (tedious)
adjective: using or containing too many words
adjective: so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness

Babble - comes from the " tower of Babel ", wherein The Lord did confound the language of those attempting to build a tower that reached up into heaven . ( see Genesis Ch. 11 )

http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/etcbin/toccer-new2?id=KjvGene.sgm&images=images/modeng&data=/texts/english/modeng/parsed&tag=public&part=11&division=div1

Which is also where the name Babylon comes from and basically means confusion .

H894
&#1489;&#1468;&#1489;&#1500;
ba&#770;bel
baw-bel'
From H1101; confusion; Babel (that is, Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire: - Babel, Babylon.

Modern definitions are expanded to include greater application of speech which is incoherent or unintelligible , as that which stems from and / or creates confusion , or confused communication .

Main Entry: bab·ble
Pronunciation: 'ba-b&l
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): bab·bled; bab·bling /-b(&-)li[ng]/
Etymology: Middle English babelen, probably of imitative origin
intransitive senses
1 a : to talk enthusiastically or excessively b : to utter meaningless or unintelligible sounds
2 : to make sounds as though babbling
transitive senses
1 : to utter in an incoherently or meaninglessly repetitious manner
2 : to reveal by talk that is too free

Hence , using a great abundance of repetitive words as a form of praying is a contradictory expression for one who believes that God is omniscient and knows all already . And this could be confusing to those who do not know The Lord already .

The reason why we still voice our prayers is not so God can hear us , but so that we can know that our needs have been confessed / expressed ; so that when the solution / remedy occurs , it will be evident who is responsible for the answer , and that giving Christ thanks and God glory is in order .

Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. <-----> John 11:40-45

May The Lord Be Magnified .

wm

 

[The Virginian]

When reading some of Matthew other day, I got a bit puzzled over a verse from this particular passage...

Matthew 6
5"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us today our daily bread.
12Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.[a]' 14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

The bit in bold is what confuses me. What does it mean by babbling? It makes me think of the way I tend to pray, and the way my friends from youthgroup seem to pray. The way we've been taught to pray. Pouring out our woes and thanks and praise to God. Is that babbling? Is that what we're warned against? Are we really meant to pray as simply as just saying the Lord's prayer, since God already knows what's on our minds?

"...For your heavenly Father knows what you need before you ask..." It is a fact that the things for which we pray, are not always the very things which we actually need. The point is this; do not try hiding the contents of your hearts from God!
Which contents, if they are already known, then; Why pray? As God answers our prayers, our faith increases, without which it is impossible to please God. However; as we pray we begin to learn what is on the heart of God, we get His viewpoint, and our praying is even more focused. Get the book -if it's still in print- Rees Howell, Intercessor.

 

[The Virginian]

When reading some of Matthew other day, I got a bit puzzled over a verse from this particular passage...

Matthew 6
5"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full....

What does it mean by babbling? It makes me think of the way I tend to pray, and the way my friends from youthgroup seem to pray. The way we've been taught to pray. Pouring out our woes and thanks and praise to God. Is that babbling? Is that what we're warned against? Are we really meant to pray as simply as just saying the Lord's prayer, since God already knows what's on our minds?

Forgive my forgetfulness for not including in my above post this part of my reply.
In the abov econtext, babbling seems to mean, saying a lot of words without really saying anything, without saying what is on your heart.
True prayer is not necessarily wordy, or brief !

 

[Amandax3God]

When reading some of Matthew other day, I got a bit puzzled over a verse from this particular passage...

Matthew 6
5"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us today our daily bread.
12Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.[a]' 14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

The bit in bold is what confuses me. What does it mean by babbling? It makes me think of the way I tend to pray, and the way my friends from youthgroup seem to pray. The way we've been taught to pray. Pouring out our woes and thanks and praise to God. Is that babbling? Is that what we're warned against? Are we really meant to pray as simply as just saying the Lord's prayer, since God already knows what's on our minds?

When it says "babbling" I think it could mean a few things ..
For one, we should talk to God, and don't go on babbling and rambling, repeating the prayers we would like answered from God in multiple different ways. God knows our prayers and concerns before we even say them. This isn't saying our prayers have to be "short" but, our prayers should be from the heart. Going with the fact that God already knows our prayers before we start them, rememer that God is there to lend a shoulder to lean on. We often need his guidance, or someone just to talk too. During prayer we need to listen also, not only speak, God is calling all the time, its our job to open our hearts and listen, instead of constantly "babbling" on, because after all, God would like to talk to us to, he would like to get a few words in.
Also when I read this verse, its makes me think, that: We should not use incredibky big words just to impress God. If you have an expanded vocabulary, thats a good thing to have, but we shouldn't think that just because we use tiny words, or we don't use big fancy words, that he isn't going to pay as much attention to our prayers, because that isn't the case at all, and vice versa.

Keep in mind these are just some ideas in which I conclude after reading this scripture.

 

[simpletrust]

Thanks to everyone for their replies! It's amazing how reading many translations of a passage can help to make it more clear. I'm so grateful for how people went so indepth with their replies, this was something that I really wondered about and it's good to have it explained so well!

 

[Jaison]

When reading some of Matthew other day, I got a bit puzzled over a verse from this particular passage...

Matthew 6
5"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us today our daily bread.
12Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.[a]' 14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

The bit in bold is what confuses me. What does it mean by babbling? It makes me think of the way I tend to pray, and the way my friends from youthgroup seem to pray. The way we've been taught to pray. Pouring out our woes and thanks and praise to God. Is that babbling? Is that what we're warned against? Are we really meant to pray as simply as just saying the Lord's prayer, since God already knows what's on our minds?

In the Todays English Version
Matthew 6:7 " In your prayers do not use a lot of meaningless wordsas the pegans do, who thinks that God will hear them because of their long prayers.
I think now it is clear to you what the word 'babbling' mean.
When we pray, it is good to shut inside a room and pray. Because we need concentration, as the prayer is a conversation between us and God. It is not counted on How long we pray but our sincerity is counted. If you feel cry then dont hesitate to cry because our father like open heart. He is able to read your heart. He knows your feelings even if you hide it. It is usully advised that 'you should not hide anything before your Doctor or Advocate'. But what I think is , Not to hide anything to our God for that He knows everything ,otherwise He will call you a Liar. In John 8:43 and44. Jesus says Devil is the father of a liar. Think more.....Who is our father?