JESUS TEACHES US HOW TO PRAY.
"Jesus said to his disciples:
“In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
“This is how you are to pray:
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.
“If you forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.” (Matthew 6: 7 - 15).
I CANNOT SAY: FORGIVE ME MY SINS AS I FORGIVE THOSE THAT SIN AGAINST ME, IF I CONTINUE TO HARBOR A GRUDGE AGAINST ANYONE.
"Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
“This is how you are to pray:
‘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.’
“If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”
(Matthew 6: 7 - 15).
Tuesday 20th February 2024 in the 1st Week of Lent.
Jesus teaching on Prayer is without doubt His very best. Why? Prayer is the most important gift of God to His creation. Everyone needs Prayer. Even animals ask God for their food. "All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time." (Cf Psalm 104: 27).
The absolute necessity of Prayer is summarized by St Alphonsus Liguori thus: If you pray, you will be saved. If you don't pray, you will be lost.
Our reflection on the Our Father or the Lord's Prayer will focus on Forgiveness.
Why did Jesus conclude the teaching on Our Father, the Lord's Prayer by stating unequivocally a precondition for the forgiveness of our sins and reconciliation with the Father?
This is obviously an important theme for Jesus because He taught it in Matthew 18:21–35, which concluded thus: "Then in anger his master handed him [the unforgiving servant] over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.”
Reconciliation is crucial to enjoying the privileges of filial adoption. (Our sonship privileges from Baptism).
A girl who ran away from home and lived a lawless life for a couple of years may be hesitant as she approaches home. The prodigal son understands that there are consequences for vagrancy and knows the importance of Reconciliation.
Many people claim that forgiveness of the other person is hard. Here are some lessons that can help forgiveness:
#1. Forgive at once.
#2. Forgive everyone without discrimination.
#3. Forgive always.
#4. Forgive everywhere.
#5. "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." Forgive everyone. This step is modeled for us from the Cross. Jesus forgave in real time those who were killing Him. He did not wait until Easter Sunday when He rose from the dead to forgive.
#6. Pray everyday for all those whom you have offended, known or unknown to forgive you and set you free.
Jesus Christ invites us to a life of continual conversion so that we can pray Our Father (the Lord's Prayer) with confidence. NEVER FORGET THE SWEETEST WORD IN ALL OF Scripture is in the Our Father Prayer:
"Your Father knows what you need before you ask him."
For Devotional prayer and prayer intentions to the Holy Family, click the link below:
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