"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him."
--Matthew 6:7-8

Do you sometimes get into the habit of doing things over and over again to a point where it loses it's meaning? Maybe it is not the meaning, but it becomes boring or just meaningless? Sometimes, something can be so obvious that you wouldn't even be able to recognize it. Try saying one word again and again. If you keep saying it, does it even sound like a word after a while?

The other day I remembered my senior year in high school and it was revealed to me exactly how much routine can set in if you're not careful. I remember the morning announcements coming on and I was just about to fall asleep on my desk. However, it was time to stand up and say the pledge. After staying up late the night before, saying the pledge was the last thing I wanted to do, especially after I had found the one comfortable spot on my desk. The teacher then tapped me on the shoulder and gave me that look that students just dread, especially at 7:15 A.M. So I got up and said the pledge like I did every morning.

How do you say the pledge after 12 or so years? Well, with me it was a half asleep, groggy voice, that was longing to spend the next 45 minutes finding that comfortable spot on my desk again. I didn't care, and I sure didn't even think about why I was saying it while I was doing it. At 7:15 in the morning there isn't a lot on your mind except sleep and that was what my mind was determined to do.

Now let's switch the pledge to prayer. Is it something that you feel you have to do? Or maybe you just say it before you got o bed at night, with that same groggy voice that you wake up saying the pledge with. Maybe you say that same boring prayer every night. If we talked to our boyfriends or girlfriends like we say the pledge ... well, I'll let you fill in the blank. Think about your prayer life, do you really pray with all your heart to the Lord? Do you go into great detail and go out of your way to give thanks? Or has praying become this hassle that you feel you just have to do to get it off of your chest. I challenge you to take the time to talk to the Lord. Remember the guy that died on the cross so that you can go to heaven? Don't take that lightly. May peace be with you.