Luke 18:11-12 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
Vain words and repetitions are ‘empty and powerless prayers’. They are like clouds without rain; like the fluff that is dispersed by the wind. Prideful prayers, judgemental petitions and false humility are supplications without sincerity, substance and significance. Jesus said, ‘And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words’ (Matthew 6:7). Boasting, showy and flamboyant words under the tag of “prayers” will not be heard nor answered.
Some people preach to their family, friends or church members in their prayers. There will be a sermon hidden in their prayer to their sibling, a rebuke for the spouse and advice for their children. Prayers prayed to poke or provoke are not prayers – they are only empty words. The result of such prayers would only be offense and strife. Selfish prayers and melancholic prayers also fall under the category of “empty prayers”. God cannot be fooled by the superfluous words and eloquent vocabulary.
The angels who wait to collect our prayers will have no substance to gather in their golden bowl when empty, judgemental and prideful prayers are prayed. Demons would sit back and laugh, sipping their drink of scorn, as powerless prayers are uttered.
On the contrary, Daniel’s prayers were weighty, prophetic and powerful that not only the angels responded but also the evil forces in the wicked places contended fiercely. Daniel’s fervent prayers won the spiritual battle.
Empty Prayers vs Weighty Prayers:
- Empty: People pleasing and prideful prayers are empty and fall on the lap of the person praying, whereas humble and honest words zoom through the heavens and reach the throne of God.
- Empower: Prideful prayers entertain demons but prophetic prayers empower the angelic hosts.
- Exchange: Powerful prophetic prayers are divine transactional exchanges but people conscious, contentious and empty prayers accomplish nothing.
Empty prayers are like clouds without rain and fluff that is dispersed by the wind.
Prayer: Father God, forgive me for the times I’ve prayed judgemental, people conscious or proud prayers. Help me to pray weighty prayers in humility and sincerity. Amen
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