From the Deacon's Desk

Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase inspired by the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer.

Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (Matthew 6:7-15)

YOUR FATHER KNOWS: In today’s Gospel, Jesus is responding to the disciples, who have requested that he teach them to pray. Before teaching them to pray the Our Father, he tells them, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

If I were a disciple, I might be thinking to myself, “Well, if he already knows what I need, why do I even need to pray?”

So…why do we need to pray? We need to pray because…

…prayer helps us to establish and maintain a relationship with God. It is an ongoing dialogue with him. We wouldn’t think of going several days without talking to our best friend, why would we not talk to God every day?

…prayer allows us to feel the presence of God in our lives.

…prayer is communal. As we pray, we know that people all over the world are praying as well.

…regular prayer builds good habits. Prayer and our connection to God become a real part of who we are.

…prayer offers us a safe place to turn for help or support. We know when we are down, depressed, stressed, worried, or sad we will always have a loving ear to listen to us. When we are happy, excited, or just want to share some good news, we know we will always have someone who will be excited with us. When we have a tough decision to make, we know God will help us sort it out. We know we have someone who will listen to whatever it is we have to say and still love us unconditionally.

…prayer calms us and energizes us at the same time. It gives us inner strength and resolve.

How many times did Jesus go off by Himself to pray? There must be something to it.

Whatever is holding you back from regular prayer, push through it. The pay-off is worth it.