Day by Day with Martin Luther

Read: 2nd Kings 13:1-14:29 Acts 18:23-19:12 Proverbs 18:2-3

“Our Father Knows”

“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.”
[Matthew 6:7]

There are those who think that it is a prayer if they put forth many words in their praying [as though God were a little boy needing to be instructed and informed on how to build a fire to cook the family’s supper]. In praying, it is needful above all, to know that it is indeed certain that we are heard and that God knows what we need and intends to care for us even before we begin to pray. We should not stipulate the time, place, amount, or person to be blessed in a prayer. But do this: hope, trust, and be certain of His grace. He hears you in accord with His measure, not in accord with yours. Cast all of these things upon his will, and do not measure by your own feelings.