Reflection on Jun20th 2019
How We Are to Pray
How We Are to Pray
2 Corinthians 11:1-11; Psalm 111:1-4, 7-8; Matthew 6:P7-15
Link to Readings
We have seen many times where people go to others for prayers asking them “Please pray for me”. According to my understanding, that happens because it is not clear to us what prayer is. Although the word “pray” implicates begging, praying to God is actually a discussion - talking and listening. If you send the message through someone else, you do not get the first hand information of what God wants from you. On the other hand, God is our Father, as Jesus taught us to start our prayer, and therefore under whatever circumstances we can go to him directly as the ‘prodigal son’ did. We do not need well crafted words to talk with the Father. We don’t have to babble many big words to get His attention. We can talk to Him as a kid talks to his dad. Whatever words we use in prayer, He understands only our heart.
When we accept His holiness and praise Him, He provides us with our daily bread - what we need at the moment. The only reason why his providence does not reach us is due to the blockage in the path due to unforgiveness. When we are reluctant to forgive those who have done bad to us, we do not receive His forgiveness for our sins and hence His providence.
That was why Jesus asked us to reconcile with our brother before we offer ourselves to God, so that He may accept our offerings.
Link to Readings
We have seen many times where people go to others for prayers asking them “Please pray for me”. According to my understanding, that happens because it is not clear to us what prayer is. Although the word “pray” implicates begging, praying to God is actually a discussion - talking and listening. If you send the message through someone else, you do not get the first hand information of what God wants from you. On the other hand, God is our Father, as Jesus taught us to start our prayer, and therefore under whatever circumstances we can go to him directly as the ‘prodigal son’ did. We do not need well crafted words to talk with the Father. We don’t have to babble many big words to get His attention. We can talk to Him as a kid talks to his dad. Whatever words we use in prayer, He understands only our heart.
When we accept His holiness and praise Him, He provides us with our daily bread - what we need at the moment. The only reason why his providence does not reach us is due to the blockage in the path due to unforgiveness. When we are reluctant to forgive those who have done bad to us, we do not receive His forgiveness for our sins and hence His providence.
That was why Jesus asked us to reconcile with our brother before we offer ourselves to God, so that He may accept our offerings.