Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord

Let your words be few…Ecclesiastes 5:2

Sometimes when we pray, we forget we are talking to God. When we do, we pray like God isn’t aware of what is going on and we have to tell Him everything. Worse, we fall into the trap of suggesting how God could answer our prayer. One of the most effective prayers recorded in the gospels is from Peter, “Lord, save me.” (Matthew 14:30)

The rest of Verse 2: Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth. Therefore, let your words be few. If that is not enough, how about the end of Verse 3: A fool’s voice is known by his many words.

Jesus knows our heart. Luke records in Chapter 18, His observation of two men praying. Jesus was not impressed with the prayer of the proud Pharisee. But the very short prayer of the humble man was praised by our Lord. The prayer, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” (Luke 18:13) Let our words be few. 

There are many recorded prayers in the Bible. Some are long conversations. Many are short. The Apostle Paul prayed both: long and short prayers. Here is a list of some of his short prayers from Romans. “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:7) “For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen” (11:36) “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (15:13) “Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.” (16:33)

So, when you don’t know what to say to God, just say, “Thank you.”