“Eloquence in prayer may impress people but it has no power in heaven. Pray real. Pray raw. Pray honestly.”
– Tony Evans
My prayer partner and I were having a conversation about eloquent prayers and we realized how ridiculous it is that church culture has somehow made many of us believe that our prayers have to be eloquent to reach the heavens. Then again, perhaps church culture isn’t the culprit but instead the comparison that we subject ourselves to during community prayers. When we realize that we express ourselves differently, we automatically assume that we’re falling short in the prayer area and need to improve. Our insecurities are definitely to blame.
Someone who has the gift of gab can easily pray and sound good to our human ears but God looks at our heart’s posture. Are you really sorry or are you just using fancy church lingo to sound holy? Jesus knew we would need to be reminded of this so he shared this parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector:
“Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like the other men – swindlers, evildoers, adulterers – or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’” But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'”I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” – Luke 18: 10-14
Humility. Vulnerability. Honesty. Those are the key to powerful prayers. They also don’t need to be lengthy. Lord, help me. Jesus, I thank you. Dear God, I can’t do this without you. Simple and short but yet real because they invite the Lord into our situation. So if you’re mad at God, tell him. If you can’t understand why you have to wait so long on His promises and you’re frustrated, then tell him that too. He already knows what’s going on. He simply wants his children to go to him instead of going to other people. He’s the only one who can change your situation anyway. So be real with Him always.
I don’t know if it’s the time of day these pictures were taken, the camera cooperating, Martha knowing my angles, or my makeup being nicer than usual but I am utterly obsessed with how well and clear these pictures turned out. You guys have already seen this skirt in this post and the satin shoulder pad blouse in this post but together they give off a completely different vibe. I cannot wait to rock this skirt during the colder months with boots. That’s the beauty of a versatile wardrobe so be mindful to buy things that you’d actually wear multiple times, multiple ways.
SHOP THE LOOK BELOW:
Have a great week ahead.
Until next time beauties,
I truly believe that we are not tought how to pray properly. I try to let my kids say grace however they want instead of reciting a prayer or let them know to speak to God the same way to talk yo me or daddy. It’s very important because or relationship with the way he will know our voice is what will allow us to make it to him. I’m still shy to pray in public honestly so you’re right he us the best listener what ever we feel he already knows but if we simply express it and pray in his name he is there. Thanks for sharing this because prayers are powerful.
Love the outfit and the hair color is perfect with the skirt 😍
Author
It’s imperative that kids learn from a young age to build and nurture a vulnerable relationship with God where they can come to Him about any and every thing in an authentic manner. I pray that you’ll be free to pray publicly when it’s needed but in the meantime, get comfortable in your quiet place. Thanks for reading. I appreciate the feedback!
I can never pray out loud, I become totally mute and my mind goes blank when they ask me to pray out loud. I live by the verse of Mat 6:6 “When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is in heaven. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you”. So that’s totally me, I pray in the secret to my father. I’m never impressed with people speaking in tongues and praying out loud. I notice people will be sweating, shaking while praying but they never really say anything. I just sit back and be like ok.
Great topic. People often forget that Christianity is not and ‘end game or some place you arrive to. It is literally a journey. There is such a thing as a baby Christian and a mature Christian. I think eloquent prayers will come once you become more mature in the faith (unless you are anointed in that department). The point is to start somewhere and be consistent with prayer. Paul tells us in Romans that we don’t even know what God wants us to pray for so most of our prayers are nothing but lip service anyway 😂😂we thank God for the Holy Spirit who prays on our behalf.
Funny you wrote that post today. That is exactly what I discussed with my Sunday school children yesterday. Sometimes we do not want to pray out loud in public because we fear that someone will judge our prayer. Learning about this everyday. Anyways, thanks for sharing. Very nice look well put together.
Author
God works in mysterious ways and gives confirmation of His word! Thanks so much girl 🙂
Church folks have definitely made prayer out to be something more complicated than it ought to be…praying is like talking to your best friend or your parents – they already know you and you don’t need to use any fancy language.
I’m obsessed with this look too! All the stars aligned when we shot this 😍😍😍.
Author
Exactly. We should be able to talk to our Heavenly Father all day, everyday with no awkwardness, shame or extreme formality.
And thanks for capturing such gorgeous shots. I’m truly obsessed 😍