“In praying, do not babble like the pagans,
who think that they will be heard because of their many words.
Do not be like them.
Your Father knows what you need before you ask him."
In today's Gospel from Matthew, Jesus teaches us how to pray. How good to remember that even before a word is on our tongue, God knows and truly understands our needs. When Jesus reminds us today not to "babble," he is not telling us to be quiet. It is fitting that with confidence and the boldness of little children, we ask for all we long for and express the deepest desires of our heart. But we are not supplying God with information, as if God were busy or out of the office. Jesus reminds us that our prayer can be simple, heartfelt and direct, because God is truly attentive and desires to fill us with all good things.
