7 March 2017 - no return policy

[ Today's Readings ]

In praying, do not babble like the pagans,
who think that they will be heard because of their many words.

We don't need many words. We often think we do, though. We go on at length because we're anxious about whether or not God heard us or whether he cares.

Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

God does hear us and he does care. This means we don't need to keep at it until we stumble upon some magic formula that brings about his response. We don't need to keep at it until we've put in enough prayer time to earn our miracle. He isn't looking for quantity. He is looking for quality. He desires a genuine connection. And so, to avoid all confusion, he himself gives us the words to pray.

Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.

We remember that God is a loving Father. When his name is hallowed anxiety about our future is cast out. When we pray that his Kingdom come, when this becomes something we truly desire, we rest peacefully know that it will eventually come because it is his Kingdom and he is God Almighty. We may never have an excess of bread, but as he does for the Israelites in the desert God ensures that we always have enough. He wants us to be open to mercy, receiving and giving, so that all relationships can be marked with peace and love. He wants to give us strength in temptation to choose him rather than the flesh. In him no evil can ultimately harm us, for he is victorious over the enemy.

In praying the Our Father we pray not our own words but the words of Christ himself. Because of the petitions contained in the prayer and the one whose petitions they are we can experience great peace if we take the time to slow down and pray from the heart.

So shall my word be
that goes forth from my mouth;
It shall not return to me void,
but shall do my will,
achieving the end for which I sent it.

When we know God's word is effective and pray that word what have we to fear?

I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.