January 2023 – Semper Reformanda

XLIV

And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Matthew 6:7 (ESV)

“… instead of seeking to impress or play probability games with the divine ear, we can pray simple, childlike, and even concise prayers to our Father… knowing that we have his ear through Jesus Christ. We ask him for the needs we already know he knows about. He is a Father, bidding his sons and daughters come close to tell him all the requests of their hearts.”

Greg Morse, How not to pray

XLIII

How we pray reveals the desires of our hearts. And the desires of our hearts reveal what our treasure is. And if our treasure is not Christ, we will perish.

Piper, J. (2013) When I Don’t Desire God: How to Fight for Joy, 140

XLII

If we abandon wisdom, thinking there is no way we can know the most effective path for our life, then we contradict the whole teaching of Scripture that it is good to be wise and to pursue wisdom. But human wisdom is not omniscience. Wisdom does not equal knowing for sure that the path chosen will be the most fruitful path. Wisdom means doing the best you can with all the resources at your disposal to discern what the path of fruitfulness is for the glory of God.

Piper, J. (2004) Life as a Vapor, 72