Juggling our suitcases, our shoes clicked on the stony path. Our guide led us down the narrow Zanzibar street lined with colorful doors and tiny shops displaying piles of spices. The salty breeze refreshed us and reminded us that this getaway should be relaxing.

But as we turned the corner, bells clanged and an elaborate mosque stood before us. People filed in, washed their hands, and knelt to their god. Our guide proudly informed us that every time the bells rang, people came and prayed.

My heart stirred. I know the one true God, yet how devout am I in praying to Him? Is it only a ritual of meal times and bedtime rather than a heartfelt petition of faith?

Jesus warned the religious leaders of outward rituals without an inward relationship.

“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me; teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” Matthew 15:8-9

They performed certain practices and appeared spiritual before others, but their hearts weren’t in it. The same can be true of us in our spiritual lives, especially in our prayer lives.

We can pray at set times, in certain positions, and with different people, but if our hearts aren’t right, then it is meaningless.

God desires a “broken and contrite” heart laid bare before Him (Psalm 51:17). Since He already knows everything anyway, we should confess and commune with Him. We acknowledge who He is and realize our complete dependence on Him rather than ourselves.

We should pray genuine words right from our hearts. He doesn’t care if our prayers are long or short; flowery or simple; spontaneous or memorized (Matthew 6:7). Only that our hearts match our worship of prayer and praise to Him.

The next morning the bells clanged, and I watched the people shuffle into the mosque from my rooftop room. I quietly bowed my head and asked the Lord to give me a sincere heart for him.