DAILY HOMILIES #Lord's prayer

Prayer is empty when not backed by a decision to act rightly. Prayer is a relationship (an agreement, a covenant). It is only complete when we do what we have promised. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches us, “You cannot take without giving.” Giving (helping others) is part of prayer. Forgiving the wrongs of others is part of prayer. “If you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.” Jesus taught us to begin with “Our Father” rather than “My Father” to show us that we are related. Jesus taught us to be reconciled before presenting our gifts to God (Cf. Matthew 5:24). Without love for one another, our prayers are empty phrases. How can you be asking God, your father, to kill your brother (fellow human being) because he hurt you?

That a man with a demon could enter the Synagogue should alert us to the fact that not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” in the church is genuinely saved. Some of us are merely satanic agents, demons in disguise, intent on destroying souls. The only shield we have as Christians is prayer. Jesus commanded demons not just because He is God but because He was a man of prayer. A prayerless Christian is a powerless Christian.

Jesus taught us a short prayer in our Gospel passage. This prayer does not use repeated/empty phrases. It gives God His due praise and glory. It begs God; it does not issue commands. It is a prayer of commitment in that it asks of God and tells God what you will give to Him. When you pray the Lord’s Prayer, you ask for your daily bread; you also promise to forgive those who sin against you. Do not be too focused on taking from God when you pray that you forget to give back to God.

When praying, our faith carries more weight than words. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Cf. Hebrews 11:6). Whenever we pray, we must remind ourselves of what the prophet Isaiah says: “As the rain and snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water, the earth making it bring forth fruit, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth.” (Isaiah 55:10-11)

Pretence is a virus we must delete from our lives. Secondly, when correcting others, avoid speaking behind their backs lest it becomes merely gossip and character assassination. By addressing God as our Father, Jesus shows us that we are God’s children, and this must be reflected in our behaviour. Every temptation (or trial) is a spiritual battle; if we are not fortified, we fall

Hannah was willing to give something to God in exchange for what she was asking for. Her prayer was her vow. When we pray, we should not simply concern ourselves with what we are to gain from God; we should also be willing to give back something to God. Even in the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus told us that we should not expect forgiveness of our sins when we refuse to forgive others.