(All quotes from Scripture
are taken from the King James Version of the Bible)
In Matthew 6:7 Christ says that when we pray, we are not to use vain repetitions. "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking". Does He mean that we should never repeat ourselves in prayer? Does He also mean that we should never pray the same prayer twice? If that were true, then in Revelation 4:8, Christ would not permit the four beasts to repeat the same thing over and over again. "And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come". At the same time, the Bible says that each time the four beasts repeated their prayer before the throne, the twenty-four elders seated on the twenty-four thrones would fall down and also repeat the same thing again and again. "And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created". In other words, both the beasts and the twenty-four elders prayed repetitiously. If repetitious prayer were wrong, then it certainly would not be permitted before the throne of the Almighty God. Instead, in Matthew 6:7, what Christ said not to do was use vain repetitions. Vain repetitions are when we continually ask God for vain things like a nice car, winning the lottery, or other needless worldly goods. We are supposed to ask God for spiritual things such as humility, love, the ability to forgive our enemies, and the like. As for physical needs, we may only ask for the most basic things such as "our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11). People often say that when Orthodox Christians recite the Jesus Prayer (Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me) over and over again that we are praying repetitiously and thus violating Christ's commandment. It is true that we are praying repetitiously, but again, Christ forbade vain repetitions. If anyone who claims to be a Christian says that the prayer "Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me" is vain, then they need to search the Scriptures and reconsider this way of thinking. Requesting the mercy of the Most High is never vain.
Home
