Praying

Jesus said, “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 

There is something wonderful about praying the Lord's prayer in church and to hear a child's voice raised above all the others. I learned it when I was young and it pours out of me when no other prayers or words come. As a child, I prayed "debts abd debtors" although now most often it's "trespass and trespasses". Sitting with a group during Compline last evening, we were offering petitions. Each person who had a petition ended by saying, "this is my prayer." We responded with, "this is our prayer." Often the simplest is the best and stays permanently in our hearts.

Jesus teaches his disciples a simple way to pray. He has warned them about false piety, and now focuses them on humility, simplicity and forgiveness. The prayer encompasses the trail and challenges we face every day. We often try to expand our praying and our worship. We can get lost in expression and wordiness, when God hears our hear. We are invited to come simply before God in all we do.

Today, I ask God to help me keep my life and my prayer, simple and humble. May we always put prayer and forgiveness first in our lives.