I'm reminded of the story about the dedication ceremony for the Gettysburg National Cemetery in November of 1863. Politician and orator Edward Everett was invited to give the keynote address. President Abraham Lincoln was invited, almost as a courtesy, to say "a few appropriate remarks."

Everett delivered an eloquent, broad-ranging speech of almost two hours. His speech was full of beautiful language, and with logic explained the significance and the tragedy of the Battle of Gettysburg, considered by many the turning point of the civil war. He delivered the entire speech from memory.

When Everett finished, President Lincoln walked to the podium, put on his spectacles, and read from his notes: "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." Two minutes later, the President returned to his seat. Two minutes. 272 words.

Few people remember Everett's speech, while Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address" is considered by many one of the greatest speeches ever given.

Which speech was better? I think the question is moot. Both speeches were great. Both men expressed their heartfelt views and opinions and did so with grace and eloquence. The point is that both men used the words and time required to express their thoughts.

I believe it is the same with prayer. How many times do we read in the Bible that Jesus went off by himself to pray, sometimes for hours? Jesus had the closest possible relationship to God the Father. He carried the heaviest burden of any man who ever lived - paying the price for our sins, It is not surprising that he spent hours in prayer. That's what it took for him to do what he needed to do.

I've come to realize that, with prayer, it is not necessarily how long we pray or how eloquently we express ourselves, but more about the sincerity and depth of our words. Prayer is direct communication with God. We don't need to impress Him. He knows what we think, what we feel, what we need, and what we desire. Prayer is a time we express to God what is on our hearts and minds, then to listen, to hear, and to understand.

How long should we pray? We should pray often, and for as long as it takes.

Father, thank you for the gift of prayer. We need time with you like we need air. We love you and covet your love for us. Thank you for the gift of salvation, which makes it all possible. Amen.

This devotion was written and read by Cliff McCartney

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