DO NOT ABUSE YOUR PRIVELEGE OF PRAYER.
The Bible characterizes Solomon as being richer and wiser
than any other king and the story of how he came to be so wise is repeated in
every generation. Solomon had a dream in which he said the Lord appeared to him
and asked “What would you like me to give you?” After thanking God “for letting
me succeed my father, David,” he said “give me wisdom I need to rule your
people with justice and to know the difference between good and evil.” (I Kings
3:5,7,9)
King Solomon wrote, “Walk prudently when you go to the house
of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for
they do not know that they do evil. Do
not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily
before God. For God is in heaven, and
you on earth; Therefore, let your words be few.
For a dream comes through much activity, and a fool’s voice is known by
his many words. (Ecclesiastes 5:1-3)
People have this idea that they impress God by a long prayer
Mark wrote that some people pray for show and feel that they need to make
lengthy prayers in order to make their prayer relevant. Mark writes that this
does not impress Him and if a person is using prayer to glorify himself he will
be punished. Depending on the person, he
or she could be punished severely. (Mark 12:40).
In Ecclesiastes King Solomon says that some people do this
and are not even aware that they are actually doing something that God
considers to be evil. The Bible often warns people about proud attitudes. And
that is especially important when people pray.
King Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 5:1-3 to "Walk prudently" which means
"watch your moral conduct." Frequently, "hear" is used
synonymously with "obey," and the "sacrifice of fools" is
allowing fellowship to degenerate into mere socializing, especially in a church
setting, without a serious regard toward walking prudently and hearing God.
Hastiness in prayer, speaking fast to save time and get it
over with, is speaking ill-considered words before God. Though we pour out a
prayer to Him in anguish, we may not think about the possible effects of our
words. We can also do this by praying carelessly, ignorant of the seriousness
of our communication with God.
In prayer, the scripture tells us to “…let your words be few.”
because “…a fool’s voice is known by his many words.” It is more important to
have the right attitudes than to say the right words. God already knows what we
will ask. And he knows what we really need (Matthew 6:8).
(John W. Ritenbaugh), ( http://usefulbible.com/ecclesiastes/foolish-wise-prayers.htm
)
