Father, look on us, your children. Through the discipline of Lent help us to grow in our desire for you. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son. Amen
Matthew 6: 7-15
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.”
Jesus’ teaching on prayer likewise instills great confidence. “Don’t bother trying to attract God’s attention by a lot of words,” he says. “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him!” Prayer’s purpose is not to inform an absent God of a present need, but rather, as St. Augustine suggests, to enlarge our hearts to be able to receive all the good God wishes to give us. We can count on his knowledge of us and our situation; we can count on his desire to give us good things!
As we let go of many useless and false things during these Lenten days, so may we pray to remove all that keeps us from confident prayer!
Heavenly Father, We know your love for us is limitless beyond imagination. You care for us as a loving parent. Through our smallest Lenten sacrifices, help us to become less selfish and more aware of your ways. Fan the flame of our desire
to draw ever closer to you. Amen
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