In this petition, we return to him like the prodigal son and the tax collector; we recognize that we are sinners before him. Our petitions begins with a "confession" of our wretchedness, and his mercy.This petition has two parts. According to the second phrase, our petition will not be heard unless we have first met a strict requirement.This outpouring of mercy cannot penetrate our hearts as long as we have not forgiven those who have trespassed against us. In refusing to forgive our brothers and sisters, our hearts are closed and and their hardness makes them impervious to the Father's merciful love; but in confessing our sins, our hearts are opened to his grace.It is there, in fact, "in the depths of the heart," that everything is bound and loosed. It is not easy to forget an offense; but the heart that offers itself to the Holy Spirit turns injury into compassion and purufies the memory in transforming the hurt into intercession. Christian prayer extends even to the forgiveness of one's neighbor. God does not accept the sacrifice of an unforgiving mam ,but commands that he depart from the altar so that he may first be reconciled with his brother. For God can be appeased only by prayers that make peace.
Let us not try to fit prayer into our day. Rather, let us fit our day around prayer. Let us give priority to prayer, and our day will be different when it begins with prayer. And gradually we will learn that the Holy Spirit prays through us...." with groans that words cannot express."
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Sunday, June 10, 2012
AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION :
This petition goes to the root of the preceding one, for our sins result from our consenting to temptation; This petition asks God not to allow us to take the path that leads to sin. This petition implores the Spirit for discernment and strength in the battle between flesh and spirit. The Holy Spirit makes us discern between trials, necessary for the growth of the inner man, and temptation, which leads to sin and death. Discernment unmasks the lie of temptation . This petition also requests the grace of vigilance and final perseverance.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
But deliver us from all evil:
This last petition to our Father is included in the prayer Jesus, and we pray in communion with the Church for the deliverance of the whole human family from the person of Satan ,the Evil One, angel who opposes God. When we ask to be delivered from the Evil One, we pray as well to be freed from all evils, present , past, and future, of which he is the author or instigator. Along with deliverance from the evils that overwhelm humanity, the Church implores the precious gift of peace and the grace of perseverance in expectation of Christ's return.
By the final "Amen," we express our "fiat" concerning the seven petitions : "So be it. "
[See CCC 2803-2954, 2865 ]
By the final "Amen," we express our "fiat" concerning the seven petitions : "So be it. "
[See CCC 2803-2954, 2865 ]
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