Our Father

And when you are praying, speak not much, as the heathens. For they think that in their much speaking they may be heard. Be not you therefore like to them, for your Father knoweth what is needful for you, before you ask him.

Thus therefore shall you pray: 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 supersubstantial bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. Amen.

For if you will forgive men their offences, your heavenly Father will forgive you also your offences. But if you will not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive you your offences.
Matthew 6:7-15 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father we pray to you each day knowing that you know our needs before we ask for them. But in our sinfulness we forget that is exactly how you are. You know our needs! And to think we think you don't. How small minded we are then not to have faith in this knowledge. We truly are children in that sense, because children do all sorts of things to get what they want from their parents. Even when the parents know better. Only difference you don't cave in and give us what we want when we want it. Can it be possible that we learned not to forgive others because we pray for things and often don't receive them. Some even wonder if you exist. If they only knew the truth of that they would think otherwise. But how do we forgive others as this prayer Jesus taught us, help us. It frees us from our selves. We no longer are self-centered when forgiveness is extended beyond our sphere. When we look only for your forgiveness and don't seek it from those we hurt, what good then have we done. Jesus knew more than anyone that forgiveness makes us whole, it brings us together and restores harmony to ourselves and to others. So lets get out of ourselves and into others for a change and extend forgiveness. We will then begin to understand the depths of this prayer that Jesus taught. Amen

Our Father

And it came to pass, that as he was in a certain place praying, when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him: Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And he said to them: When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.
Luke 11:1-4 (Douay-Rheims)

Prayer

Dear Father we were given a prayer to you that surpasses all prayers. I can only imagine the day when Jesus spoke it to the disciples. A prayer I often take for granted. I have learned to understand the depth of this prayer, where Jesus touched upon the need to ask for our daily bread, to forgive as you forgive and most especially not to be lead into temptation. I had come to say this pray in a mindless way without thought to what I was praying, yet you revived this prayer in my heart. To teach me the value of it and the importance it has in my life of prayer. I have come to know how much you love this prayer when it is said from the heart. Where you take it to yours when we say it. This prayer was given to us by your Son and how magnificent it is. May it inspire my heart and many others who pray it daily. To say it with love for you. Amen

The Lord's Prayer

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,
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.’

“If you forgive others their transgressions,
your heavenly Father will forgive you.
But if you do not forgive others,
neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”
Matthew 6:7-15

Prayer

Dear Father, Jesus gave us the perfect prayer to pray. One that honors you first of all. We ask for forgiveness, yet we tend to be unforgiving toward others when we pray this beautiful prayer, making it a hollow gesture to our Father. Jesus made a statement after this prayer about forgiveness, if we don't forgive how do we expect to be forgiven. How do we expect to be delivered from evil when we cannot release the sins that bind us. May we strive to forgive the smallest of transgressions to the biggest. May our prayer to you dear Father be from a heart that has forgiven the wrongs done to it. Let us seek reconciliation with those around us and with you dear Father. Amen