{"id":50628,"date":"2018-07-04T00:21:41","date_gmt":"2018-07-03T21:21:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=50628"},"modified":"2025-06-16T23:29:39","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T20:29:39","slug":"question-what-does-it-mean-to-pray-with-vain-repetitions-and-how-should-i-pray-so-that-my-prayers-are-meaningful-before-god","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2018\/07\/04\/question-what-does-it-mean-to-pray-with-vain-repetitions-and-how-should-i-pray-so-that-my-prayers-are-meaningful-before-god\/","title":{"rendered":"Question: What does it mean to pray with \u201cvain repetitions\u201d? And how should I pray so that my prayers are meaningful before God?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Answer:<\/strong><\/p>\n

God bless you. This is a great question because it helps us understand the kind of prayer God values.<\/p>\n

In Matthew 6:7<\/strong>, Jesus says:<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The phrase \u201cvain repetitions\u201d<\/em> does not<\/strong> mean praying loudly or with passion. Rather, it refers to empty, mindless repetition<\/strong>\u2014saying the same words over and over again without genuine thought or faith. Jesus was addressing a common religious habit, especially among the Gentiles (non-Jews), who believed that repeating long prayers could convince their gods to respond.<\/p>\n

In contrast, Jesus teaches us that God is not moved by the quantity of our words, but by the sincerity of our hearts<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Jesus continues in Matthew 6:8<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

\u201cTherefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This shows a key theological truth: God is omniscient<\/strong>\u2014He knows all things, including our needs before we even express them (see also Psalm 139:1\u20134<\/strong>). So, we don\u2019t need to perform or strive to get His attention. He\u2019s already listening.<\/p>\n

The Heart of the Matter<\/h3>\n

In Matthew 6:5\u20136<\/strong>, Jesus also warns about praying just to be seen by others:<\/p>\n

Verse 5<\/strong> \u2013 \u201cAnd when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Verse 6<\/strong> \u2013 \u201cBut you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Here, Jesus emphasizes that prayer is a private, spiritual communion with God<\/strong>, not a performance for others. The reward of such sincere prayer is not praise from people, but a personal response from the Father who sees in secret.<\/p>\n

Does This Mean Loud or Repeated Prayer Is Always Wrong?<\/h3>\n

Not at all. There are many examples in Scripture where God\u2019s people prayed with strong emotion and even repeated themselves<\/strong>:<\/p>\n