Matthew 6: 7-15
Matthew 6:7-15
“When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
“Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Speaking Each Word of Prayer to God
We may not feel like we know how to pray eloquently. When we tell God what is on our heart, it may feel like we are simply babbling. In the end, however, such makeshift prayers are often acts of the very trust which Jesus is trying to deepen in the hearts of his disciples. Rather than proud babbling focused on just words, Christ calls us to pray humbly with our eyes fixed on the Father who loves us. Jesus calls us to trust.
St. Ignatius had a way to grow in this trust using the Lord’s Prayer. He would sometimes pray the Our Father very slowly, saying just one word each time he took a breath, savoring every bit of the prayer, really speaking each word to God.
Today, let us take a moment just to imagine looking God in the eyes and seeing His Fatherly love for us as we pray.
—Thomas Croteau, SJ, is a deacon of the Central and Southern Province studying theology in Berkeley, California.
Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
—Traditional prayer