Saturday, February 25, 2017

Praying

‘Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
 ‘So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.*
 ‘And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.*
 ‘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.
 ‘And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. Matthew 6:1-16

Praying

On are knees alone we talk
With the Creator like a child
Asking a parent for real help
Baring our soul and weeping.

When  we stand and lead others
We find flowere words covering
Our broken hearts and raw wounds
Pretending the need belongs to others.

Our authentic tears like rare stones
Precious and uniquely personal
Cherished by God as a child'support drawing
Plastered with joy on the wall.

Letting go of judgement and forgiving
Freeing our hearts to fly again
A child joy to see Creation as a gift
A dance

No comments: