Pray without words.

Matt. 6:6  “But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Then your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.”

Jesus is speaking out strongly against showing off our religion.  He is making it very clear that a person of genuine faith does not need to promote it or broadcast it.  Genuine faith shows naturally through the way we live and speak. 

We like to be around people who really know how to pray.  There is just something that seems to set them apart from us.  We equate how they pray with the godliness of their hearts.  What we don’t often consider is that how a person prays doesn’t always tell the true story of their heart.  Just like people can imitate faith without being saved, people can imitate prayer without being right with God, or even saved. 

Jesus here emphasizes the importance of private prayer.  When we pray when no one is around, it is noticed by God.  God hears us when we pray from a genuine heart, no matter who may, or may not, hear us when we pray.  In fact, there is great value in prayer without words.  We can be surrounded by a great host of people and pray without anyone knowing it.  The Lord listens to the heart more than He does the words. 

Words sometimes simply fail us.  There are times when we don’t know what to say or how to say it.  But, the Lord knows.  When we lift our hearts to Him without words, He hears us and answers our prayers.  Reach out to the Lord and He will reach out to you.  Don’t pray to be heard by man; pray to be heard by God.  If others hear you when you pray and join you as you pray, it is good.  It is also good if only you and God hear you when you pray.