2021 Lenten Meditations – Friday, March 26th
Matthew 6: 9-13
Jesus said:
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’
Knowing how to pray is knowing what to ask for. It is also letting God, the Father, do His will, which is pleasant, good, and perfect in each of us. But when we pray, we sadly tend to only think of asking God for something, but praying is so much more than that.
Jesus, thankfully, gave us a beautiful guideline of how to pray. He teaches us:
- To recognize that he is our ABBA (father) who loves us and wants time with us.
- To pray with an open heart, ready to accept and do His will and not our own.
- That each day it is important to be satisfied with what we have at this moment – that he will provide.
- To understand how important it is to be quick to forgive others so that we may also be forgiven.
- That we must not be overcome by temptations and weaknesses, we must believe, that through daily prayer, with God’s abiding love and grace, we are free from all evil that could endanger our lives.
Every day we must remember this. Every day we must avoid mechanically reciting these words passed down to us two thousand and twenty-one years ago. If we want these words to be effective, let His will be sovereign in everything.
Throughout this Lenten Season, learn to ask for what is vital to lead a holy and pleasant life in His presence.
Reverend Galeano
Chaplain Nuestras Pequeñas Rosas
San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Spanish Translation
San Mateo 6: 9-13
Jesús dijo:
9 »Ustedes deben orar así:
»“Padre nuestro que estás en el cielo,
santificado sea tu nombre,
10 venga tu reino,
hágase tu voluntad
en la tierra como en el cielo.
11 Danos hoy nuestro pan cotidiano.
12 Perdónanos nuestras deudas,
como también nosotros hemos perdonado a nuestros deudores.
13 Y no nos dejes caer en tentación,
sino líbranos del maligno”.
Saber orar, es saber qué pedir y es dejar a Dios Padre hacer su voluntad que es grata, buena y perfecta en nosotros.
Tristemente al orar solo pensamos en pedir. Pero es más que eso. Y Jesús por eso nos dio una bella herencia de cómo orar:
- Reconocer que él es tu ABBA (papi)
- Que haga su voluntad y no la mía.
- Que no falte lo que necesito para cada día.
- Perdonar para que también él me perdone.
- Que no sea vencido por mis tentación y debilidades.
- Y que me libre de todo mal que pueda poner en peligro mi vida y la de los míos.
Cada día debemos recordar esto. Cada día hay que evitar recitar mecánicamente estas palabras heredadas hace dos mil veintiuno años. Y si queremos que sean efectivas, dejemos que su voluntad sea soberana en todo.
En esta Cuaresma aprende a pedir lo que es vital para llevar una vida santa y agradable en su presencia.