What’s the Rush?
"’The Lord's Prayer is truly the summary of the whole gospel.’ Since the Lord...after handling over the practice of prayer, said elsewhere, 'Ask and you will receive,' and since everyone has petitions which are peculiar to his circumstances, the regular and appropriate prayer (the Lord's Prayer) is said first, as the foundation of further desires." (Tertullian, De orat. from the Catechism of the Catholic Church; 2761.)
Let us slowly take Jesus' prayer to the heart.
“Our Father, Who art in heaven,”
How would you evaluate your prayer life at the moment?
“Hallowed be Thy Name.”
Why is God’s name significant? Do I use God’s name appropriately?
“Thy Kingdom come.”
In what ways do our prayers often reveal that we are praying ‘My’ kingdom come rather than ‘God’ kingdom come? Life is not about ME!
“Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.”
How does prayer change you?
We do not pray to change God’s mind; we pray to change our mind. Try to align your minds and wills with His.
“Give us this day our daily bread.”
What do you need to do to re-order your life to make you rely on the Lord? His Words, Sacraments.
“And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
Is there someone with whom you need
to resolve a grudge and begin the process of forgiveness?
In forgiving you are forgiven. Peace only comes through forgiveness.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
How can temptations subtly chip away at our relationship with Jesus?
What are your greatest temptations? How do deal with them?
Peace in Christ,
Father Vincent-Vuong Nguyen