Matthew 6:7

“Scripture and the Fathers insist above all on three forms, fasting, prayer, and almsgiving,” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Tob 12:8; Mt 6:1-18.

“…Father in secret, not heaping up empty phrases, prayerful forgiveness from the depths of the heart, purity of heart, and seeking the Kingdom before all else.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 5:23-24, 44-45; 6:7, 14-15, 21, 25, 33.

“When the holy name is repeated often by a humbly attentive heart, the prayer is not lost by heaping up empty phrases,” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 6:7.

“But Jesus does not give us a formula to repeat mechanically.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 6:7; 1 Kings 18:26-29.

““When ye pray,” saith He, “use no vain repetitions, even as the heathen do.”” — editor's note: Matt. vi. 7. (R.V., “And in praying use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do.”—R.]

“And he was constant in prayer, knowing that a man ought to pray in secret unceasingly.” — editor's note: Matt. vi. 7; 1 Thess. v. 17.

“Again, on Matt. vi. on the Lord’s Prayer.” — the author cites it

“Again on the Lord’s Prayer, Matt. vi. To the Competentes.” — the author cites it

“Again, on the Lord’s Prayer, Matt. vi. To the Competentes.” — the author cites it

“And so when He taught His disciples to pray, and warned them not to use many words in prayer, He saith, “Use not many words; for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask Him.”” — editor's note: Matt. vi. 7, 8.

As the hypocrites use to set themselves so as to be seen in their prayers, whose reward is to be acceptable to men; so the Ethnici (that is, the Gentiles) use to think that they shall be heard for their much…

We should indeed pray often, but in short form, lest if we be long in our prayers, the enemy that lies in wait for us, might suggest something for our thoughts.

Yet to continue long in prayer is not, as some think, what is here meant, by “using many words.” For much speaking is one thing, and an enduring fervency another. For of the Lord Himself it is written, that He…

Hereby He dissuades from empty speaking in prayer; as, for example, when we ask of God things improper, as dominions, fame, overcoming of our enemies, or abundance of wealth. He commands then that our prayers should…

What He condemns is many words in praying that come of want of faith; “as the Gentiles do.” For a multitude of words were needful for the Gentiles, seeing the daemons could not know for what they petitioned, until…

And truly all superfluity of discourse has come from the Gentiles, who labour rather to practise their tongues than to cleanse their hearts, and introduce this art of rhetoric into that wherein they need to persuade God.

True prayer consists rather in the bitter groans of repentance, than in the repetition of set forms of words.

For we use many words then when we have to instruct one who is in ignorance, what need of them to Him who is Creator of all things; “Your heavenly Father knoweth what ye have need of before you ask Him”

Or this there starts up a heresy of certain Philosophers [margin note: Epicureans] who taught the mistaken dogma that if God knows for what we shall pray, and, before we ask, knows what we need, our prayer is…

You do not then pray in order to teach God your wants, but to move Him, that you may become His friend by the importunity of your applications to Him, that you may be humbled, that you may be reminded of your sins.

Nor ought we to use words in seeking to obtain of God what we would, but to seek with intense and fervent application of mind, with pure love, and suppliant spirit.

But even with words we ought at certain periods to make prayer to God, that by these signs of things we may keep ourselves in mind, and may know what progress we have made in such desire, and may stir up ourselves…

Still it may be asked, what is the use of prayer at all, whether made in words or in meditation of things, if God knows already what is necessary for us. The mental posture of prayer calms and purifies the soul, and…

Cited together in Sermons on New Testament Lessons Sermon 30.

Cited together in Sermons on New Testament Lessons Sermon 30.

Cited together in Catechism §2668.

Cited together in Catechism §2766.

Cited together in Catechism §2766.

Cited together in Catechism §2766.

Cited together in Catechism §2766.

Cited together in Catechism §2766.

Cited together in Catechism §2766.

Cited together in Catechism §2766.

Cited together in Sermons on New Testament Lessons Sermon 30.

Cited together in Catechism §2608.

Cited together in Catechism §2608.

Cited together in Catechism §2608.

Cited together in Catechism §2608.

Do not babble in prayer.