Thursday June 20, 2024

Matthew 6:7-12

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘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.

This is a long one, but I had to put the entire reading because it preaches so beautifully for me today. Do you know the big difference between the disciples and us, at least in my opinion. We think reciting the prayer is the same as praying it. I don’t know how many of the 12 knew the prayer by heart but I know they knew the heart of the prayer. Do you? Or should I explain?