‘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. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
‘Pray then in this way:
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.
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:7-15
The central part of the prayer that Jesus gave us all and which we use constantly, invites us to seek God's will in everything, and live a life of forgiveness. Constantly seeking and offering forgiveness. We are not to be blown up but humble, seeking God and deeper relationship with one another. In a society filled with divisions, where forgiveness is weakness, we are to be weak with desire for God and one another.
Forgiving Creator, who seeks us all
you draw us to you and to one another
your law is love and certain freedom
and you listen to our feeble daily cries.
When we are hurting we hurt others
yet we blame others for our deep pain
while believing we are alone in the hurt
and no one understands us, nor suffers like us.
Jesus, on the cross you suffered for all of us
you suffer with us when we are in deep pain
you breath with our ragged breathing
so make us those who are always ready to pray. Amen.
