Are fancy words necessary when we pray?
Matthew 6:7-8 (NKJV) "And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him."
Ecclesiastes 5:2 (NKJV) 2"Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few."
"There are two kinds of prayer,—the prayer of form and the prayer of faith. The repetition of set, customary phrases when the heart feels no need of God, is formal prayer. “When ye pray,” says Christ, “use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do; for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.” We should be extremely careful in all our prayers to speak the wants of the heart, and to say only what we mean. All the flowery words at our command are not equivalent to one holy desire. The most eloquent prayers are but vain repetitions, if they do not express the true sentiments of the heart. But the prayer that comes from an earnest heart, when the simple wants of the soul are expressed just as we would ask an earthly friend for a favor, expecting that it would be granted—this is the prayer of faith. The publican who went up to the temple to pray is a good example of a sincere, devoted worshiper. He felt that he was a sinner, and his great need led to an outburst of passionate desire, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” {ST August 14, 1884, par. 8}
"Prayer is not an expiation for sin; it has no virtue or merit of itself. All the flowery words at our command are not equivalent to one holy desire. The most eloquent prayers are but idle words if they do not express the true sentiments of the heart. But the prayer that comes from an earnest heart, when the simple wants of the soul are expressed, as we would ask an earthly friend for a favor, expecting it to be granted—this is the prayer of faith. God does not desire our ceremonial compliments, but the unspoken cry of the heart broken and subdued with a sense of its sin and utter weakness finds its way to the Father of all mercy." {MB 86.2}
"Our prayers in public should be short, and express only the real wants of the soul, asking in simplicity and simple trusting faith for the very things we need. Prayer from the humble, contrite heart is the vital breath of the soul hungering for righteousness. {ST December 3, 1896, par. 10}
"High-flown language is inappropriate in prayer, whether the petition be offered in the pulpit, in the family circle, or in secret. Especially should the one offering public prayer use simple language, that others may understand what is said and unite with the petition. {GW 177.1} It is the heart-felt prayer of faith that is heard in heaven and answered on earth. God understands the needs of humanity. He knows what we desire before we ask Him. He sees the soul’s conflict with doubt and temptation. He marks the sincerity of the suppliant. He will accept the humiliation and affliction of the soul. “To this man will I look,” He declares, “even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word.” [Isaiah 66:2.] {GW 177.2}
"If prayer were offered with humility and contrition of soul, in simplicity, short prayers, right to the point, with unfaltering confidence in the name of Jesus Christ, rich blessings would be received, because we take God at His word, telling Him exactly what we want, and believing we receive the things we ask of Him, whether it be in temporal or spiritual things. Rest your whole soul’s burden in the hands of God. It is your privilege to ask; it is His prerogative to discriminate what will be for your real good,and what would be an injury to you. We need much more of the childlike simplicity [in] which we tell the Lord all our necessities, and He will satisfy them abundantly, according to the riches of His liberality." {Lt10-1896.3}
God wants us to talk with him in simple and easily understood terms. In giving this answer I am not criticizing prayers that are more eloquent, nor criticizing the people who pray them. But whether short or longer, simple or more eloquent, they need to be sincere and come from a humble and submissive heart.
I am also suggesting that the apparent valuing of more eloquent prayers has caused some newer believers to think that their prayers are in adequate. I hope these quotations allay their fears in this regard.
You can read about the prayer that God approves in a wonderful article by the same title "The Prayer That God Approves."—Dan