Matthew 6:7 (KJV)

Passage

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Nearby Context

Matthew 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Matthew 6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "pray", "vain", "repetitions", "heathen", "think", "shall", "heard", and "much". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "pray" and "vain", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 6's "But thou when thou prayest enter into..." into verse 8's "Be not ye therefore like unto them...", so "pray" and "vain" belong inside that flow. In Matthew context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "pray" and "vain" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.