Focus
As you quiet yourself for this brief time, be willing to be open to God in whatever way that may take place.
Read
Concerning Prayer
5 “And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 6 But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
7 “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. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9 “Pray then in this way:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And do not bring us to the time of trial,
but rescue us from the evil one.
Reflect
I remember when I first became a Christian. It was so difficult to pray. I found out that having an example prayer was a necessity at first. Sometimes it still is. Sometimes I still don’t know exactly what I want to say to God, so I buy prayer books. I find they expand my prayer language and helps me to think more broadly about the needs of the world.
At the same time prayer is simply sharing our heart with God. There is no technique to it really. It’s just baring our soul and listening to God.
What sacred places and ways of praying help you to talk honestly with God? Have you been there and done that lately?
Pray
O God, our needs are simple. Help us to pray for just those things that we truly need, just as Jesus taught us,
“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.
Go with God!
