But what about this part of the sentence? I think this is saying that when you talk to God...talk to God. Don't talk to yourself, don't try to impress God or man with many fancy words but open your heart. Be honest and open. Sometimes repetition can take your mind off of your own self-centeredness and put it on God so that you can truly ponder God and His place in your life and your heart.
I don't think the words have a thing to do with it, it is the heartfelt communication with God that He wants from you. In other words it's the sentiment not the speech.
I think it's important to separate accepted New Age wishy-washy beliefs from simple observations of Scripture.
Luke 11:1-4 --
Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples."
So He said to them, "When you pray, say:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us day by day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one."
Jesus didn't teach the disiples to "think good thoughts" or to just think "deeply" about God. He didn't tell them to "quiet their thoughts" and "look for God in their hearts." He taught them to SAY the words.
I'm sure all those other things are good. It's good to think deep thoughts. It's good to "look for God in your heart" (whatever that means). But I'm also sure that if Jesus said to speak words out loud when we pray, then we should speak words out loud when we pray.
Mark W.