Lord, teach us to pray

by Deacon Juan Carlos  |  07/24/2022  |  From the Clergy

In today's Gospel, the disciples ask Jesus, "Lord, teach us to pray.” Every time I read or hear these words, the memory of when I was in my diaconate formation comes to mind.

As a permanent deacon, I want to share a time in class where the teacher explained the different ways and forms of praying. The instructor told us "the Jews have very beautiful and profound prayers, and perhaps the disciples of Jesus knew and practiced some of these prayers.

In the Lord’s prayer, the disciple’s heard a special connection between Jesus and God. The disciples were asking Jesus to teach them to have that connection, that relationship with God, so you and I can have it too.” That invitation is for all of us to go directly to Jesus who is the source of all prayer. We ask Him to help us when we pray the Holy Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, the Liturgy of the Hours, when we pray in community, ritual or spontaneous prayer, we must ask Jesus to help us connect and form that intimate relationship with “Our Father who art in heaven…”

Regarding the Lord’s prayer, the Catechism (CCC 2783) teaches, “Thus the Lord's Prayer reveals us to ourselves at the same time that it reveals the Father to us." Jesus has revealed God to us as a Father who cares for and protects His children. Let your hearts fill with joy and happiness, for this reason we must make an effort and dedicate time to prayer in order to be with God, our Father. We owe it to find time in our busy lives, when we are running from place to place, not to neglect our relationship with God. "God speaks to friends who take time to be with Him."