Some people are afraid to pray out loud where others will hear them. Others like praying out loud--maybe a little too much.

Jesus said, “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”

The real issue is our natural tendency to try to impress people. I guess it’s from the desire to be respected. I admit, I do still catch myself trying to impress people sometimes. How do we break the habit of pride?

Is praying before meals an example of praying with vain repetition? It depends. In this episode, we’ll look into what Jesus meant and didn’t mean by praying with vain repetition.

We'll explore the 24/7 Prayer Room of Frederick Maryland, also known as the Frederick Prayer House. We interview its Director Sarah Dorrance.

https://24-7prayerroom-frederick.org/

“And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray:

“Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’”

"And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." Luke 11:9-10

Prayer is conversation between God and His followers. But it is also work—we are seeking the fulfillment of our request. We are persistently knocking until the door is opened to us. This is the second episode that includes parts of interviews with prayer warriors Carolyn Chandler and Paul Kemp.

Jesus said, “follow me” a lot. But how do we follow someone we can’t see? I can follow someone on social media. I could follow a YouTube account or a podcast (you can follow this one right now by hitting subscribe). But I can’t see or hear Jesus—not with my eyes and ears. So what does it mean to follow Him? Here’s one thing Jesus doesn’t mean: try harder.

You can also watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/byfA3sfz35A?si=Rm4xJgQP30-o1qcB