Moronacity Catholic Journal » Praying
The Lord’s Prayer: But Deliver Us from Evil
This final petition in the Our Father is a continuation of the previous petition, “Lead us not into temptation,” which addresses temptation on a more personal level. “Deliver us from evil,” is a petition for all of God’s people. “Evil” does not refer to all temptation, but to the Devil himself. According to the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, “The evil we confront is not just an abstract idea, but an evil, … Read entire article »
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The Lord’s Prayer: And Lead Us Not into Temptation
. . . and lead us not into temptation. God does not lead us into temptation. He does not tempt us. He has given us the freedom to choose his goodness, and will give the strength and wisdom to do so if that is what we truly desire. When Christ taught us to pray, he included this petition in the Our Father. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the … Read entire article »
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The Lord’s Prayer: And Forgive Us Our Trespasses as We Forgive Those Who Trespass against Us
The fifth petition in the Lord’s Prayer may be a bit of a sticking point for many. In it, we ask for God’s forgiveness of our sins. In spite of our desire to do his will, we consistently sin, so we ask for his forgiveness, “Forgive us our trespasses.” The challenge comes with the second phrase, “as we forgive those who trespass against us.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church points out, “Our … Read entire article »
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The Lord’s Prayer: Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread
“Give us this day our daily bread” addresses more than just the need for food. Our physical bodies need nourishment, but so do our spiritual selves. When we pray this petition, we do not ask for these needs only for ourselves, but for everyone. This is done with the understanding that God works through us by providing us with the spiritual gifts, talents, and means to help others who are less fortunate. “Give … Read entire article »
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The Lord’s Prayer: Thy Will Be Done on Earth as It Is in Heaven
“Thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven” is the third petition in the Our Father. It is greater than any of the following petitions that ask for human needs. God’s will is of the utmost importance. This is truly wonderful because God’s will is that we live in a world that is free of pain and hunger, both spiritual and physical. It is by faithfully following God’s … Read entire article »
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The Lord’s Prayer: Thy Kingdom Come
The Kingdom of God is already here, but not in its fullness. That is why we are called to bring about this Kingdom, one which the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults describes as, “a Kingdom of love, justice, and mercy, where sins are forgiven, the sick are made whole, enemies are reconciled, captives are freed, and the needs of the poor are met.” We pray for the Kingdom that is realized in … Read entire article »
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The Lord’s Prayer: Hallowed Be Thy Name
To hallow is to make holy, only something that God can do. God is already holy, but He has given us his name, a name that we can either keep as holy or use in a negative way to harm God’s reputation. Think of the power one has over another simply by knowing a name. Think of the name of a movie star. That movie star’s reputation often depends on what others say … Read entire article »
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The Lord’s Prayer: Who Art in Heaven
Heaven is not a place like New York or France. God is not living in some faraway land. He is present among us. The Kingdom of God is here, now. When we pray, “who art in heaven,” we are not naming a location, but expressing our belief in God’s presence and our desire to be with Him. “‘Who art in heaven’ [refers] to God’s majesty and his presence in the hearts of … Read entire article »
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The Lord’s Prayer: Our Father
The Lord’s Prayer begins with “Our Father.” This means so much more than stating a simple fact, or addressing God as “Father.” The significance lies in why we say “Our Father.” Before Jesus, we had no name for God. In Exodus, He told Moses to tell the Israelites that “I Am.” When Jesus taught us to pray, he began by saying, “Our Father.” “Our Father” is not used in the sense … Read entire article »
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The Lord’s Prayer: The Central Prayer of Scripture
The Lord’s Prayer is indeed special. It is given to us by Jesus Christ, himself. At first, it seems to be a rather simple prayer, but reflecting upon these words can bring about the reality that this prayer is so much more. The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes the Our Father as a summary of the whole Gospel. St. Thomas Aquinas explains, “The Lord’s Prayer is the most perfect of … Read entire article »
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