For a long time, going to bed at night, I began with the same prayer I learned as a young child: Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep; if I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. A simple prayer which says so much. It's not full of fancy words and it's not a quote from Sacred Scripture. Just a prayer asking for His protection while we sleep. Jesus asks us in todays Gospel (Matthew 6:7-15) to resist trying to sound profound when we are speaking to Him . . . He who knows every part of us . . . Even the hairs of your head have all been counted (Luke 12:7). Speak to Him truthfully and ask for what you need. Or, ask His forgiveness. Most importantly, keep it simple.
Todays Gospel teaches us prayer doesn't have to be complicated:
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.”
In Volume Three, the Blessed Mother gives us another simple prayer and the Lay Apostle Allegiance Prayer we pray daily:
Todays Gospel teaches us prayer doesn't have to be complicated:
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.”
In Volume Three, the Blessed Mother gives us another simple prayer and the Lay Apostle Allegiance Prayer we pray daily:
"Whenever you feel unsure of yourself or afraid, make an act of obedience. Say the following: 'God in heaven, I pledge my allegiance to You. I give You my life, my work,
and my heart. In turn, give me the grace of obeying Your every direction to the fullest possible extent.' That is all, children. That simple prayer will draw consolation down to you, consolation which will steady you and prepare you to proceed in His will."
Lay apostles, are you praying in the morning when you wake up? In the evening before going to bed? And any time you can in between? Prayer is so powerful. Run straight to Him when things seem chaotic or hopeless, asking for His guidance and protection. It really is that simple . . . you just have to trust the outcome is His Will.
Thank you, Lord, for simple prayers.
God bless,
Bonnie
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