Teach Us To Pray

Pray with simplicity

Teach us to pray

As humans, we overcomplicate things. There is richness in the simple things, when we focus and go deeper within the meaning. Matthew 6:5-14 from The Message is our prayer of simplicity today:

And when you come before, God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for 15 minutes of fame! Do you think God sits in a box seat?

Here’s what I want you to do: find a quiet, secluded place, so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply, and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.

The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer ignorant. They are full of formulas and programs and advice, pedaling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God, like this loving you, you can pray very simply like this:

Our Father, in heaven, 

reveal who you are. 

Set the world, right; 

do what’s best – as above, so below. 

Keep us alive with three square meals. 

Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. 

Keep us safe from ourselves and the devil. 

You’re in charge! 

You can do anything you want! 

You’re a blazing beauty! 

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Amen

Teach Us To Pray

If Only We Can Be Still

Teach us to pray

When we take the time daily to meditate on the goodness of Jesus, it becomes so much easier to be who He desires us to be. We begin to realize that everything He asks of us is for our own good.

But first, we have to be still in order to know.

Be still and know I am God. Psalm 46:10

Lord, help me be still. Help me know that You are God. Let me be still, calm, peaceful, and open to Your presence.

Teach Us To Pray

A Simple Prayer

Teach us to pray

When I first found myself being drawn into a deeper spiritual relationship with my Creator, there were many time when I would sit and contemplate scripture. Psalm 25 turned into a constant prayer for me and to this day I still say it often as I need the Lord to “make” me lose my self-sufficiency.

Lord, make me know your ways. 

Lord, teach me your paths.

Make me walk in your truth and teach me.

For you are God my savior.

Psalm 25

Amen

Teach Us To Pray

How To Pray

Teach us to pray.

Sometimes we struggle knowing how to pray. I hope the following wise words give you permission to let go and just be with God.

Remain at rest, in peace and truth, in the presence of our God. Force nothing. Do not aim to make any thoughts and resolutions. Be in God‘s presence as a child with their parent. Think of yourself as belonging to God that God may do with you whatever God pleases. Avoid a lot of words. Separate yourself from all things and direct your gaze at God. Be content to look at our God to whom you belong.

Venerable Francis Lieberman, C.S.Sp.
Teach Us To Pray

Teach Us To Pray

Teach us to pray.

This year’s theme for Smitten with Goodness is prayer. In the previous post, Prayer is Allowing God to Love You, there are many ways we can connect with God. Sometimes we need to slow down and go back to the basics. This helps us to open our minds and hearts to God. 

In Matthew 6:9-15, Jesus teaches us how to pray. Focusing on the Our Father, presents us with a great opportunity to go back to the basics of prayer. Meditating on this prayer allows us to open our minds and hearts and be in communion with God.

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.

If the Gospel is a message of Joy, then it is one we should be eager to pursue. We can do this by diving into a deeper, prayerful encounter with Jesus Christ this year. He will teach us to pray.