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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 6:7–8
Prayer is so essential to our spiritual lives that we should strive
to live in a state of constant prayer, all day, every day. However,
saying prayers is very different from truly praying. Jesus begins
by teaching that prayer is not about “babbling many words.” We do
not pray to change God’s mind or to convince Him to do our will.
That is not the essence of prayer. Jesus is very clear: “Your
Father knows what you need before you ask him.”
So, how do you pray? Do you come to God with a list of requests,
thinking that if you ask enough or in the right way, He will grant
your wishes? Consider how a child might plead with a parent until
the parent finally gives in. Is this how God wants us to approach
Him in prayer? Certainly not.
Prayer must be constant—asking, pleading, and even begging—but for
what? Should we beg God to conform to what we think is best? No.
True prayer is when we ask, plead, and beg that God change us and
conform us to His perfect will.
The Our Father teaches us both the sentiments and content of true
prayer. We begin by acknowledging who God is—our loving and
intimate Father who dwells in Heaven. Though He is transcendent and
beyond us, He is also near, like a father who lovingly watches over
His children.
God is holy—wholly other, perfect in every way, the Holy One. For
this reason, we adore Him, proclaiming that even His name is
holy.
What do we ask of God in prayer? Not that He fulfills our will, but
that “Thy will be done!” His will is accomplished when His Kingdom
is established in our lives—when He governs us and we live in
obedience to His every precept. This requires deep trust and
surrender.
We also ask for our “daily bread,” which includes all that we need
materially and spiritually. We must trust that God will never
forsake us as long as we remain faithful to Him. He always
provides. Those who rely on worldly riches rather than on God’s
providence may find themselves spiritually impoverished, so we ask
God to provide for every need according to His will.
One of our greatest needs is for forgiveness. We all sin and are in
need of mercy, which only God can provide. However, God’s
forgiveness comes with a condition—we must forgive others as well.
If we do not extend forgiveness to others, we cannot fully receive
it ourselves. True forgiveness, once received, transforms us so
profoundly that it must overflow to others as freely and abundantly
as it was given to us.
The Lord’s Prayer concludes by acknowledging the reality of the
evil one and the temptations that surround us. Only God’s grace can
protect us from these snares. This truth should lead us to complete
dependence on God's grace and on the ministry of His angels to
guard and guide us.
Reflect today on how you pray, especially when you recite the Our
Father. Do you fully understand what you are saying? Do you believe
it with all your heart? Your Father in Heaven knows your needs.
Trust Him, turn to Him, acknowledge His holiness, worship Him, rely
on His providence, seek and extend forgiveness, and allow Him to
protect you from evil. If you do, you will pray as Jesus
desires.
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.
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