When we pray, we don’t have to worry about saying all the right words or acting like we’re different than who we really are. I know that I’ve tried to look put together in front of God when praying, instead of just being authentic and real. The first part of this passage tells us that God doesn’t hear our prayers because of how we act or say, but He hears them out of His love for us.

God our Father loves us so much that He already knows what we need before we even ask. Sometimes there are people in our lives you can tell what you are going to say or ask before you actually get the words out. Usually that person will know what you’re about to say because they know and love you. Imagine how much more God knows and loves you! He always knows your needs, joys, sorrows, etc. and He hears you with joy out of His love.

When I was little, I didn’t really get all the hype around the “Our Father” as we see it in today’s gospel. Why did Jesus say that this was the way to pray? It just seemed like a relatively long prayer that was awkwardly worded. Well now I understand more and more why this is the way we are to pray. First, we praise the holy name of God our Father who is in Heaven. He deserves all our love and praise, sounds like a good way to start a prayer, if you ask me. Then we ask for His Kingdom to come and His will to be done- for Heaven to come down to earth (which it is but still yet to come through the Church) and that whatever God’s perfect and loving plan is for the day would be done. There is no need to stress or fear about your life or even just one day when you trust that our Father’s will be done; He takes care of you and He does not make mistakes.

Then we get into the petitions of the prayer as we ask that the Lord provide for our daily needs, for forgiveness from our sins, and to lead us away from all evil. Asking our Father to give us our daily bread means more than just relying on Him for food; He will provide for our physical needs and our spiritual needs, especially through the Eucharist, the Bread of Life. We also ask for mercy. We all sin, we hurt our relationship with God and the people around us. So, we seek God’s mercy and the strength to avoid sin and temptation. We all need forgiveness and this gospel shows us just how vital it is that we forgive like our Heavenly Father does.

The Son of God, Jesus Christ, has given us the great gift of the Lord’s Prayer. Together, let’s pray it often and grow in trust, love, and mercy.

When you pray, how open and vulnerable are you with God? Do you ever feel like you have to say the right words and act a certain way?

How often do you pray the Lord's Prayer? What is one line of the prayer that pushes you to grow or stands out the most? What is it about that line that challenges you?

Who are you struggling to forgive? How will Jesus' example of mercy and today's reading help lead you to forgive?

"You are my Father."

"I trust in you."

​"Have mercy on me."

Spend time praying and reflecting on the Lord's Prayer. Focus on what each line is really saying as you pray.