“Mindful then of our condition, that we are essentially limited and absolutely dependent on the Supreme Being, before everything else let us have recourse to prayer. We know through faith how great is the power of humble, trustful, persevering prayer.”
READ: MATTHEW 6:7–15
“In your prayers do not babble as the pagans do, for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard. Do not be like them; your Father knows what you need before you ask him. So you should pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be held holy, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us. And do not put us to the test, but save us from the evil one. Yes, if you forgive others their failings, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours; but if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failings either.”
YOUR THREE-STEP GUIDE TO DAILY MENTAL PRAYER
REFLECT
Friends share what they have with each other. Good friends freely share their most valuable possessions. By this standard, Christ’s friendship is in a class all by itself. He didn’t just share things, or knowledge, or companionship; He shared His nature as God’s Son — His divine nature.
In this prayer, He teaches us to call God “Father.” And to make sure we don’t think that’s just some pretty poetry, He also describes God as “your Father [who] knows what you need.” In Christ, we have become not just citizens of God’s Kingdom but members of God’s family. We have Christ’s blood flowing in our veins. We have an eternal inheritance; we have our own room in the heavenly mansion, our own family servant (our guardian angel), and the rest of the family is eagerly awaiting our arrival. This is the core message of the entire New Testament: through our incorporation into Christ and through our friendship with Him, we have become full members of God’s household, along with everything that entails. Doesn’t it make you want to pray the Our Father in an entirely new way?
RESPOND
Thank You for the gift of prayer. I can always raise my mind and heart to You, no matter where I am or what I’m doing. Thank You for the prayers and prayer commitments that You have brought into my life. I want to pray them well. I want to seek and find You in prayer, not just go through the motions. Stir my heart, Lord; remind me that You are my loving Father. Lord, teach me to pray.
REST
Thank You for Your priceless gift of forgiveness and for letting me experience that forgiveness so many times. I want to forgive as You forgive. You know who and what offends and hurts me most — and You permit those offenses and hurts. They give me opportunities to become more like You. Whom do I need to forgive right now? Have mercy on me, Lord, and make me merciful.
RESOLVE
How can I carry this encounter with me into the day? (Write / Journal)
CLOSING PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Most Blessed and Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thank You for Your love and Your grace in allowing me this time of prayer with You.
The world, the flesh, and the devil will all propose things I should focus on and run after today. I beg You to fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me instead to know and embrace Your will. Help me to see what You desire of me each moment of this day. Give me the wisdom, strength, and fortitude I need to avoid distractions, discern Your will, and focus on and carry out that which Wisdom reveals. Help me to work and live at a pace of peace and prayerfulness, always attentive to You, able to hear Your voice and to say no to anything that hinders my journey to You and a complete yes to every Holy prompting from You.
Help me to humbly and purposefully live, light, and lead others to the path of union with You and to tell everyone about this way of life. Amen.
About the Author
Fr. John Bartunek was ordained in 2003. He has taught moral theology at various ecclesiastical institutions at the graduate and undergraduate levels, and has authored many books, including the Gospel companion, The Better Part, and Inside the Passion, the only authorized behind-the-scenes look at the film, for which he provided on-set spiritual support. His online retreat guides are available in multiple formats at RCSpirituality.org. Fr. John currently resides in Atlanta, where he is serving as territorial vicar for the Legionaries of Christ.
