Matthew 6:7

Use not vain repetitions as the heathen do.

The priests of Baal in the memorable contest with Elijah repeated the whole day, "O Baal, hear us." The Mahometans are required to repeat some expressions thirty times, and others as often as. hundred. The Roman Catholics often do penance by repeating the Lord's Prayer (Pater), or "Hail Mary" (Ave). fixed number of times. "What is forbidden is not much praying, nor praying in the same words (the Lord did both), but making number of prayers, length of prayers, or time spent in prayer. point of observance and of merit."-- Alford.. have heard. man pray for thirty-five minutes in. public prayer which was only. tissue of platitudes, and. am sure that if the Deity were not of infinite perfection he would have been wearied if he had stooped to listen, which. suspect he did not.