The divine region of religion

More stuff on prayer! Prayer prayer prayer! I really need to get a different perspective on it and Chambers is helping!

Matthew 6:6-7 But 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. And when you pray, do not make vain repetitions like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

Chambers talks about Christians having the desire to be known as a praying person. I don't feel like I struggle with that, so I am not going to spend a lot of time on that one. However, he does make some excellent points (as usual). One thing he says is the main region of religion is "Your eyes upon God, not on men." I have to admit, when I pray out loud, sometimes I feel conscious about what I am saying because I know people are listening...so I guess that it is just as bad as wanting to be known as a praying person. I guess I want to be known as a pretty good prayer at the very least. So...I am guilty of it after all!

I remember in one of my previous posts that Chambers said that the main purpose of prayer is to get to know God. So here he is again today: Have no other motive than to know your Father in heaven. It is impossible to conduct your life as a disciple without definite times of secret prayer.

So then...what about this "vain repetitions" stuff? I guess I admit that sometimes I do repeat myself in a prayer...as if I need to stress the point with God. Doesn't He know all things? the other day I was leaving the house and kept repeating to my daughters what I expected them to do before I came home again. I also wrote it on a note. They were getting exasperated with my repetitions. Should I be treating God that way? Like He is obligated to complete a list of chores or demands? Chambers says "God is never impressed with our earnestness."

So what is prayer if not a place to ask? (and yes...we are to simply ask) "Prayer is getting into perfect communion with God."