[Springfield Reformer]

Though I have sincerely uttered parts of the Psalms when I have fallen upon the mercy and grace of Almighty God and even sung a few in worship services, I don't use them as rote prayers. The impression I get from Scripture is that God is most interested in the words of our hearts - those we utter from genuine worship and gratitude - rather than the same words repeated again and again almost mindlessly while we think about something else. I would think ten words of deep, heartfelt love hold more value to Him than a hundred repetitions of the same ten prayers memorized since childhood.

Indeed:

Ecc 5:1-3 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. (2) Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. (3) For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words.

Peace,

SR

[boatbums]

Good Scripture!

[metmom]

Matthew 6:7-13 “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. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.