A Gospel according to Mt 6:7-15
Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
“This is how you are 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. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’
“If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”
REFLECTION:
"In praying, do not babble like the pagans,
who think that they will be heard because of their many words"
Jesus has given us this perfect prayer, which always amazes me when I think about it. He gave it to His apostles, who in turn gave it to the disciples, and taught it to other people and with time it reached our parents, and then ourselves...
Another type of prayer is what is called mental prayer. Many of us try to talk to God with our own words and thoughts, but end up at a loss on what to say, or let our thoughts wonder in every direction that is not towards God.
We end up with a loss of words, or simply get distracted. And maybe even discouraged. And this is probably because we, or at least I, don't know how to really pray.
St. Alphonsus has a great writing to help us make a better mental prayer in his book "PRAYER: The great means of obtaining Salvation and all the graces which we desire of God."
In Chapter 6 we have a wonderful guide to help us with mental prayer. Here is a summary of this chapter:
1. Preparation: Dispose your mind and body to enter into pious recollection.
a. Make an act of faith in the presence of God, and act of Adoration
My God, I believe that Thou art here present, and I adore Thee with my whole soul.b. Make an Act of Humility and of Contrition
Lord, I should now be in Hell in punishment of the offenses I have given Thee. I am sorry for them from the bottom of my heart; have mercy on me.2. Meditation: When you make meditation privately you may always use some book, at least at the commencement, and stop when you find yourself most touched.
a. It should be remembered that the advantage of mental prayer consists not so much in meditating as in making Affections, Petitions, and Resolutions: these are the three principal fruits of meditation.
a.1 The Affections: When you have reflected on the point of meditation, and feel any pious sentiment, raise your heart to God and offer Him acts of humility, of confidence, or of thanksgiving; but, above all, repeat in mental prayer acts of contrition and of love.
My God, I esteem You more than all things.
I love You with my whole heart. I delight in Your felicity.
I would wish to see You loved by all. I wish only what You wish.
Make known to me what You wish from me and I will do it.
Dispose of me as You please and of all that I possess.a. 2 The Petitions are perhaps more useful than any other act, to repeat petitions to God, asking, with humility and confidence, His graces; that is, His light, resignation, perseverance, and the like; but, above all, the gift of His holy love.
My Jesus, mercy. Lord, for the sake of Thy mercy, assist me.
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