More Than Just A Prayer

Today we hear in the Gospel reading Jesus teach his disciples how to pray through the Our Father. It is considered the perfect prayer, but have you ever considered praying it not just praying the words but slowing down and praying each word/phrase with intentionality allowing the words to bring your own heart closer to God and allowing them to teach us the way we ought to pray. The following is a brief prayerful reflection on each word/phrase in the Our Father, but I would encourage you to go deeper in reflecting on these words by reading the Catechism’s (2759-2865) breakdown of this important prayer.

Our Father

Lord, our brother Jesus asked us to call you Father, and so we do. We say your name lovingly because you are indeed our Father, giving even more love than the best father or mother can give. You are the one who, out of love, gave us life, and you continue to breathe your divine life into us through Jesus in the Holy Spirit. Father, you know us better than anyone else, better than our earthly father and mother know us, better even than we know ourselves. So, when we come to you with our needs and concerns, you know what we really need. That is what you give us, even if we do not understand at that moment. We accept what you give because your wisdom is great and our vision is limited. Help us to know and love you as you know and love us. 

Who art in heaven 

Father, it is difficult for us to understand what heaven is like when our experiences here on earth dazzle and distract us, or disappoint us and cause us pain. Give us the faith to believe that heaven is real and more wonderful than anything we have or could experience here on earth. Help us to remember that your desire is to share eternal happiness with us after we have used this time on earth to grow in wisdom, love, and grace. 

Hallowed be thy name

Blessed and holy is your name, Lord, you who are the source of all love. You know all things and can do all things. Sometimes, Father, we glorify ourselves before all else, even you. Help us to remember that we can do nothing without you. You created us out of pure love, and you only desire good for us. We thank you, Father, and praise you for your goodness. 

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven 

Evil seems to be all around us, Father. There is materialism, selfishness, disease, poverty, and suffering. This is not the world you want. As individuals, families, and nations, we war against one another. There is immorality wherever we turn. Father, you gave us free will - the freedom to choose between good and evil. Help us to do our part in changing this imperfect world in which we live. Thank you for giving us your son, Jesus, to show us the way to the kingdom, and to teach us to recognize that the kingdom is here and now when we allow you to enter our lives. 

Give us this day our daily bread

Father, each day is a gift, an opportunity to be fed and nourished by your love. Help us to recognize you in the people, situations, and events we encounter. Give us hope and strength. Grant us understanding to see that you can make good come out of even our darkest days. 

And forgive us our trespasses 

Father, forgive us for the times we have hurt others, for the times we did not listen to your words, and for the times we put ourselves before every other person or consideration. Help those we have hurt to forgive us. And, Father, help us to forgive ourselves and to recognize that your forgiveness is always there waiting for us. 

As we forgive those who trespass against us

Lord, help us to accept the weakness not only in ourselves, but also in others. Help us to recognize that sometimes people act out of ignorance; they are imperfect, as we are imperfect. Those who have hurt us also need forgiveness. Help us to be as ready to forgive them, as you are always ready and waiting to forgive us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Father, we pray that we be spared the temptations of evil. It is so difficult to say no to ourselves. Help us to feel the joy, which comes through doing your will. Help us to realize that, through our obedience to you, we can become the people you created us to be. When temptation presents itself, Father, give us the strength to say, “I am weak. I cannot do it alone. Carry me, Lord, my Father.”

Amen

Father, I believe all these things. I come before you with these prayers and petitions and open the door of my heart unto you.