Tuesday 07 March
Matthew 6:7-15
7“When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9“Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11Give us this day, our daily bread. 12And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. 14For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; 15 but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Many of us learned this prayer when we were young; how many times have we prayed these words as the “empty phrases” our Lord was talking about. It really is the perfect prayer. It speaks of God as holy, generous, forgiving, just, faithful and requires the person praying to have faith in God’s will.
Let us carefully consider each phrase, and open today’s prayers with the Lord’s Prayer.