There is Something About Mary Series – The Perfect Prayer

Ponder:  Do you get stuck sometimes knowing what to pray for and in what order?

After the Sign of the Cross and the Apostles’ Creed, we hold the first bead above the crucifix and then pray the Our Father (#2 below) which is the perfect prayer. 

When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, His answer was the “Our Father” or the “Lord’s Prayer.”  This prayer provides the perfect model of how we should pray, for what things we should pray and in what order.

Pray: The Lord’s Prayer

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.

Amen

Reflection:

I am reminded the sacredness of your name God, and I praise you.  My heart yearns for you and I want to be with you.  Help me live in the world but not of the world, allow me to keep an eternal perspective.  Help do my part, what you designed me to do, to build heaven on earth knowing that earth will never be as perfect as heaven.  Reveal your divine plan and align my will with yours.  You will provide me with what I need each day that I have your breath inside me.  It may not be what I want, especially when my desires sink to worldly standards.  Please help me always remember how you have been by my side, protecting me and giving me what I need.  Forgive me when I am selfish and don’t invite you into my thoughts, my words and my actions with every breath I take, and when I do not praise you for everything, who I am, what I have and the gifts beyond measure you have provided to me.  Let me live the mercy you show to me and extend that to others.  Help me forgive others as you do and see “that they do not know what they do.”  Keep drawing my eyes toward you.  Be my strength and resolve when I am tempted.  Help me choose goodness and not succumb to the frailty of my human and sinful nature.  You are the good Father who has chosen me as your inheritance. I love you. Amen

Act:  When I start to worry today, I will take a breath and remember you give me what I need.