Did you ever stop to consider that some prayers "connect" with the heart of God while other prayers miss their mark? They do. Jesus even told a story about that ...

Read the following story from Luke 18:9-14:

 9To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The 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. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'

 

   13"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'

 

   14"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

Let me ask you a few questions about this passage.

• Who prayed the most eloquent prayer?
• Who prayed with words of "thankfulness"?
• Who came to God with confidence?
• Which of the two men show us that his prayer-life was backed up by faith-walk in how he lived?

I think the answer to each of those questions was the Pharisee. He was eloquent. He did offer thank. He was supremely confident in God. He even tells us that he walked-the-walk and didn't just talk-the-talk.

But his prayer missed the mark. He didn't connect with the heart of God.

What about your prayers? What does God really want from your prayers? Are you touching the heart of God or just going through the motions?

God is looking for a prayer that is full of humility and shows reckless trust in God-that is what catches the ear and heart of your Father.

Take some time today to "listen" to the words of your own prayer. Is it eloquent, thankful, confident, and backed up by your walk? Listen for something more.