“…and for a show make lengthy prayers.” (Mark 12:40 NIV)
I’ve spent the past several days deep in Mark 12, researching for our weekly Bible study. This bit about ‘lengthy prayers’ stands out to me. Commentator David Guzik went into great detail about the scribes and their habits. “Their relationship with God was far more show than substance. The scribes thought they were more spiritual because of their long prayers.” I wonder, is this how we think? Do we believe God impressed with lengthy diatribes or is He after heart-felt, focused and earnest communication?
Guzik’s words have made me think about about my own prayers. What makes a prayer authentic and effective? The Pharisees were long-winded: their prayers were practiced and polished, on display for an audience. But real prayer is gritty and raw. Real prayer involves the give and take of forgiveness. Real prayer recognizes the audacity of the Creator communing with His creation. There is a humility in searching our hearts for error and confessing our failures, isn’t there?
Our church culture is no longer one of repentance. We rarely (if ever) publicly wring our hands in sorrow or rend our hearts in remorse. But we should, both publicly and privately! Regular repentance is what keeps us both humble and grateful. Bonus: contrition keeps us close to the heart of God.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.” (1 Peter 5:6 NIV)
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” (Acts 3:19 NIV)
Lord, please forgive us for putting on a show, pretending that we have it altogether. Help us to see our weaknesses plainly and confess our sins freely. Lead us in repentance. Meet us with mercy. Equip us with You Spirit to transform us more accurately into Your image. Amen.