And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. "Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. Matthew 6:7-8
What should we make of Jesus words about long prayers? Are they bad? Almost never, with two exceptions. First the exceptions:
Exception #1. Jesus said praying long prayers and thinking that God hears because our prayers are long (or flowery) is not good. God is not moved by how long we pray (or by how beautifully we pray). He is moved when we pray according to His will (1 John 5:14-15), and that we do not give up praying when instant answers fail to arrive (Matthew 7:7-8, Luke 18:1-8).
Exception #2. When praying aloud in a group, it is courteous to keep our prayers short to give others a chance to participate. Many know how it is when someone monopolizes the time in group prayer. In group prayer, pray several times, but keep each prayer short so others can also pray.
But when praying alone, long is not only not bad, it is good. The heart that understands the importance of prayer often prays long prayers—not merely to get God to answer, but in order to unburden one’s heavy heart as well and to simply enjoy prolonged times in the presence of the Lord! There are long prayers in the Bible. Jesus spent an entire night in prayer before choosing the disciples.
Prayers are not answered if they are not prayed, and the brevity of our prayers is more of an evidence of our weakness in prayer than its strength!
Our church needs more prayer than ever before. Long, pleading prayers!