People draw near with their words and honor Me with their lip service, but they remove their hearts far from Me, and their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote (Isaiah 29:13; NASB95).
Let’s not repeat our prayers by rote,
But speak just as the heart desires.
May all our words be unadorned,
For this is just what God requires.
Let’s talk with him spontaneously,
Just telling him the truth, in love.
Then, may our souls be hushed and still:
One with the Lord, in heaven above.
I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one (John 17:22; NLT).
References
When you are praying, do not use thoughtless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him (Matthew 6:7-8; NASB).
Pray then like this: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name (Matthew 6:9; RSV).
Speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15; NLT).
Be silent before the LORD, all humanity (Zechariah 2:13; NLT).
Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world (Psalm 46:10; NLT).
Be still in the presence of the LORD (Psalm 37:7; NLT).