Jesus Taught Us How to Pray
But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. -Matthew 6:6
…your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. -Matthew 6:8-13
This gospel passage ends with the admonition to forgive others. Forgiveness, of self and others, is so important to a life of prayer.
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“Seek by reading and you will find by meditation. Knock by praying, And it will be opened to you in contemplation.” ~St. John of the Cross
Review of the Day Prayer (The Ignatian Daily Examen):
This Examen is a method of reviewing your day in the presence of God. It’s actually an attitude more than a method, a time set aside for thankful reflection on where God is in your everyday life. It has five steps, which most people take more or less in order, and it usually takes ~15 minutes. Once each day, or twice-at noon and evening, if you can do no other prayer in your busy day, this one is most essential.
Breathe, for a moment, with the awareness you are in the Presence of God. God is looking upon you with love.
- I want to look at my day with the light of the Holy Spirit, with God’s eyes, not merely my own.
- I experience the gratitude I feel for what the day has brought. The day I have lived is a gift from God. Be grateful.
- I recall the events of my day, allow my mind, my thoughts, my heart, to move with the Holy Spirit.
- I face those encounters that did not feel quite right, those that disturbed me, those in which I could have responded better, more loving and caring and patient and courageous.
- I hold the past and the present moments and look to the future, to the day ahead and I ask, Where do I need God? What grace do I need most in the day to come so that I might be more of who God created me to be?