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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…” Matthew 6:7–9
Many pagans of Jesus’ time believed they could manipulate divine
action by sheer persistence, lengthy incantations, or empty
repetition. Jesus contrasts this with true prayer, which is about
trust in the Father’s providence, not coercion. Christian prayer is
not about forcing God’s hand but about uniting our hearts to His
will.
Saint Thomas Aquinas offers profound insight into the Lord’s
Prayer: “Since prayer is the expression of our desires before God,
we should only ask for what we ought to desire. The Lord’s Prayer
not only contains everything we should desire, but it presents them
in the proper order—thus shaping not only our petitions but also
our hearts” (Summa Theologiae, II-II, 83.9).
According to Saint Thomas, prayer begins with truth entering the
mind. Before we can choose and desire what is good, we must first
recognize what is truly good in the eyes of God. For that reason,
the first three petitions of the Lord’s Prayer focus on God’s
glory—the highest good—rather than our needs:
“Hallowed be Thy name” expresses the desire that God’s
holiness be recognized, honored, and made known both within us
and through our witness in the world.
“Thy Kingdom come” is a plea for God’s reign to be
established in our hearts and ultimately in the fulfillment of
His Kingdom at the end of time.
“Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” is a petition
that our wills be conformed only to God’s divine will, seeking to
obey Him as the saints and angels do in Heaven.
Once truth enters the mind, the will must choose it by grace.
At first, we often pray these petitions out of duty, but as grace
strengthens the will, we begin to love them. From there, the will’s
repeated choice to say “Yes” to God’s truth allows our desires to
be reordered, forming habits—virtues—within us. After seeking God’s
glory first, we turn to our own needs, acknowledging our total
dependence on Him in the light of Eternal Wisdom:
“Give us this day our daily bread” expresses our desire for
material sustenance and spiritual nourishment through the
Eucharist. As our hearts are transformed, we come to hunger not
only for earthly provision but for the Bread of Life, Christ
Himself.
“Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass
against us” is a plea for God’s mercy, teaching us that we must
extend forgiveness to everyone if we hope to receive it. Over
time, grace enables us to desire mercy more than vengeance,
forming our hearts in charity.
“Lead us not into temptation” asks for God’s help in avoiding
situations that might lead us to sin. The more we grow in grace,
the more we come to despise sin rather than desire it.
“Deliver us from evil” is the final and most complete
petition—a plea for liberation from ALL evil: sin, satan, and all
that separates us from God. Here, desire reaches its highest
purification in which the soul longs for final union with God,
free from all evil, and attains it through purified desire.
Reflect today on this perfect prayer. Meditate on each
petition, allowing each word to shape your mind, will, and desire.
Pray it slowly and attentively, letting grace enlighten your mind,
strengthen your will, and transform your affections. If you pray
these words without fully feeling them at first, persevere and
allow grace to work within you, leading you to the point that you
truly love what you pray so that you desire rightly, trust fully,
and love completely.
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. Amen. Jesus, I trust in You.
Image: The Life of Jesus by William Hole By William Brassey
Hole
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