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. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
This passage of scripture teaches us that the use of vain repetitions should be avoided when praying, or entreating the God of heaven, for it is not necessary to say the same prayers over and over again, in a robotic mechanical manner, in order for Him to hear and answer us. Nor is it necessary for us to repeat His name over and over again in the same prayer, for in Christ's model prayer, He only mentions the title "Father" once, and from then on, the Person being addressed is understood to be the one and the same God.
It is worthy of note however, that Christ is not saying that we should not use any repetitions, for there are many instances, where David employed the use of repetition in psalms of praise, prayer, and thanksgiving to God, and these were both accepted and in order, for they came forth from a heart overflowing with love and appreciation for the goodness, and unwarranted mercies of God. The kind of repetition that Christ is referring to are the "Vain" ones, which proceed mechanically from a heart that is not surrendered to God, nor is in harmony with His revealed will. And thus, it is necessary that the word of God explain itself, as to what the word "Vain" means in the context. Let's read:
Isaiah 1:4 Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. 10 Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah. 11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord"... 12 When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? 13 Bring no more vain oblations"... "it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. 14 "They are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. 15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear"....
Here we see that the vain oblations and prayers were being made by a people who were walking contrary to the laws and commandments of God, yet they rigorously carried out their methodical forms of worship, hoping to appease God by their much empty speaking. But God remonstrated against such practices for it was a weariness to Him, to have to listen to these empty prayers, that were coming from hearts that were dead set on disobedience.
The same situation occurs when people are given a number of "Hail Mary's" to repeat, in an effort to gain absolution from sins that are not confessed nor forsaken. God can only accept genuine confession that is made to Him, and not to mere mortal man, and in so doing, we only need to address Christ, who is the One and only Mediator between God and man. Priests do not stand in God's stead, and thus it is unnecessary for any person to be given a stipulated number of prayers to recite, or beads to count, for all these practices do not draw the soul closer to God, but are classified in the Bible as being "Vain" repetitions and oblations.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which demonstrates how we should approach unto The Most High God, and it is His will, that from here on out, our prayers and sacrifices of praise be done in spirit and in truth. Let's read:
Micah 6:6 Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? 7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!