ACC ~ Matthew 6 v7

AVOID AN ABUNDANCE OF WORDS

CHROMATIUS: Nonbelievers think that they can more easily obtain from the Lord what they require by using many words, but the Lord does not expect this from us. Rather, he wants us to send up our prayers not with wordy speech but with faith that comes from the heart. By doing so we command the merits of justice to him. He surely knows better all the things of which we have need and before we speak is aware of everything that we are going to request. TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 27.2.1-2. [1]

[1] CCL 9a:326.

PAGAN PRIESTS SUMMON IDOLS THAT CANNOT HEAR

ANONYMOUS: Let us note carefully the gods to whom the pagans pray, that we may understand how not to pray. They pray to demons, who may hear but are not able to heed. They are not even able to supply evil things, unless God permits it. They pray to dead kings, Jove, Mercury, and others, whose crimes are more manifest than their names. They were not able to help, even while they lived. They pray to insensate idols, who are not able to hear nor to give responses. Understandably then their priests spend a long time summoning where there is no one to hear. When the priests of Baal called on their gods through immolated sacrifices, Elijah said in mockery, “Shout, shout strongly: perhaps your gods are sleeping.” [1] In the same way the person who prolongs his prayer with a lot of talk rails at God, as if he were sleeping. INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 13. [2]

[1] 1 Kings 18:27.

[2] PG 56:710.

HOW TO PRAY

CHRYSOSTOM: By the example of the importunate widow who prevailed with the pitiless and cruel ruler by persevering in her requests, [1] we are shown how to pray. We hear the insistent voice of the friend who came late at night and roused the sleeper from his bed, [2] not for friendship’s sake but out of his urgent need. By these examples Jesus called us continually to make earnest supplication to the Father. He did not ask us to compose a prayer of ten thousand phrases and so come to him and merely repeat it. He warned against those who “think that they shall be heard for their loquacity.” “For your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” But if he already knows what we need, why do we pray? Not to inform God or instruct him but to beseech him closely, to be made intimate with him, by continuance in supplication; to be humbled; to be reminded of our sins. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 19.4. [3]

[1] Lk 18:1-8.

[2] Lk 11:5.

[3] PG 57:278; NPNF 1 10:133**. We are called and invited to be honest before God about our actual, urgent needs, so as to bring us into intimate communion with God.

THE WORDY AND THE SIMPLE PRAYER

CHROMATIUS: We have an example of just how great a distance there is between the wordy and the humble and simple prayer in the story of the Pharisee and the publican. The prayer of the Pharisee vaunting himself in his abundance of words was rejected. The humble and contrite publican, on the other hand, asking forgiveness for his sins, came away more justified than the self-boasting Pharisee. In this we find fulfilled what was written: “The prayer of the humble penetrates the clouds,” [1] reaching God who is ready to hear the request of the one who prays. TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 27.2.3. [2]

[1] Sir 35:21.

[2] CCL 9a:326-27.