I found a book that answered a lot of my questions about prayer. It is Nelson's Personal Handbook on Prayer, by James Wilhoit. On page 182 it says, "First of all, please note that the enemy can put thoughts and desires into our minds, but he cannot read our minds. Only God is omniscient." I believe this to be true. Would prayers (as we lay requests and plans before God) best be said in secret--and without writing them down or even in words--so that Satan won't know what our plans are? Is this why Jesus says we are to pray in private? -- Fred Haight
No, I do not think we should fear Satan's eavesdropping efforts! In the Bible, believers often pray out loud, including Jesus. I don't believe they are all misguided or somehow being "sloppy" with classified information.
I tend to agree that since Satan doesn't share God's omniscience, he has at best only limited access to our inner thoughts. But to become focused on trying to deceive Satan--preventing him from knowing our plans and hopes--is to play into his hands, isn't it? We might become more focused on him than on the Lord! As for Jesus' exhortation to private prayer, he tells us the reasons, one negative and one positive: to prevent others from congratulating us, and so that we may receive our reward in heaven (Matthew 6:5-6).
I commend you on your not failing to remember the reality of the enemy. But I would encourage you to pray in freedom. Don't worry that a devil or demon might abuse what he hears. (Besides, we know from scripture that Satan is a very selective listener. He is likely to misunderstand our words, and the heart behind them, isn't he?)
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