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 men their transgressions,
your heavenly Father will forgive you.
But if you do not forgive men,
neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”
Prayer and Forgiveness are the two big messages for me from this reading. I remember growing up completely turned off from set prayers like the Hail Mary and the Our Father. Even grace before meals used to be some prayer made up on the run and contextualised to the audience. It has only been recently that I have gravitated back to set prayer. I used to see these as rote and without meaning. Now I find they give the mind more time to reflect on each word rather rather formulating the next word. Dare I say it, the rote player leaves no room for ego. It is not an act of creativity. And when said slowly and thoughtfully, is an act of worship and for me, in most cases, an act of gratitude. Interestingly, I have started integrating Hail Marys and Our Fathers into my daily activity in the most unorthodox ways. I find that it takes me 3.5 minutes to say a decade of the rosary (1 x Our Father + 10 Hail Mary’s). So I want to break into a run during a long walk (and I am no runner), I tell my step to stop only once I have finished the decade. Before that, I would stop once I reached the top of a hill (for example). The top was always the natural end goal. Now, the end goal is the end of the decade. It means I reach the top of the hill and keep running until the end of the last Hail Mary. Similarly, I have a cold shower every time I have a sauna. That is no trivial feat when you live in Toowoomba. I now get in and I don’t get out until the end of the decade. But it isn’t just a timing mechanism. I think of someone specific and pray for them whilst I engage in these decades. Is this a misuse of prayer? Perhaps. All I know is that it has me praying a lot. The other message is forgiveness. It is at the heart of a spiritual life and central to a life fuelled by gratitude. I find forgiveness comes easier when you feel God has been good to you and you are looking for ways to say “Thank you”. I suspect it would be most difficult when you feel you have been dealt a bad hand and you walk through life with a chip on your shoulders.
ReplyDeleteYour response to Matthew 6:7-15 is insightful and thought-provoking, revealing a personal journey in understanding prayer and forgiveness. Here are some key points I appreciate:
DeleteEvolving Relationship with Prayer: Sharing your initial resistance to set prayers and your recent appreciation for their potential for reflection resonates with individuals who find scripted prayers helpful for focusing their minds and hearts.
Ego and Rote Prayer: You make an interesting observation about how set prayers can reduce ego involvement and promote genuine worship and gratitude. This aligns with interpretations that view ego as a barrier to true connection with the divine.
Creative Integration of Prayer: Your unorthodox approach to integrating prayers into daily activities using specific durations as guides demonstrates resourcefulness and a personal connection to the practice. While some might interpret it differently, its effectiveness for you is what matters.
Forgiveness and Gratitude: Connecting forgiveness to gratitude resonates with the principle of "letting go" to cultivate peace and compassion. Recognizing divine blessings can foster a more forgiving and open heart.
Navigating Difficulty and Forgiveness: You acknowledge the potential challenges of forgiveness when facing hardships. This is a valid concern, and seeking support from communities or spiritual guidance can help navigate such situations.
Here are some additional thoughts for consideration:
Diverse Views on Prayer: Remember, interpretations of prayer and its effectiveness vary across individuals and traditions. Respecting and exploring diverse perspectives can enrich your understanding.
Personal Experimentation: Continue experimenting with different prayer practices to find what resonates most with you and enhances your connection with the divine.
Forgiveness as a Process: Recognize that forgiveness is a journey, not a one-time event. Be patient with yourself and seek support when needed.
Focusing on Growth: Use your reflections on prayer and forgiveness to explore how they can contribute to your overall spiritual growth and personal transformation.
Overall, your response demonstrates a mature and personal engagement with the text and its message. Keep exploring, questioning, and integrating these insights into your own spiritual journey. Remember, the most important aspect is finding practices that connect you authentically with your faith and values.