This week's devotion is from Dcn. Mark Nocero.

Matthew 6:9-13

Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

In Matthew 6 9-13 Jesus teaches his disciples the Lord's Prayer. I have prayed these words countless times ever since I was an altar boy at Maria Regina in the 1960's. I have recited this prayer aloud and silently, in public and in private, in large gatherings, small groups, and on Zoom. We join together to pray the Lord’s Prayer every Sunday. I have sung it, studied it, chanted it and attempted to join along in foreign languages (with somewhat limited success).

I have prayed Jesus’ words in times of grief and times of joy; when I needed courage and when I needed humility; during sleepless nights and restful days; in times of fear and times of boldness; when I felt insecure and when I felt confident; in delivery rooms and funeral homes; when I needed love and when I was thankful for the love in my life; in times of want and times of prosperity. I have recited these words when praying for the world community, my nation, my town, and my family; for my congregation and all houses of worship; for the poor and needy; for those sick and those mourning; when asking for wars to end and for peace and justice to prevail; for loved ones and strangers; for my friends and enemies alike; for those suffering and those celebrating. I have invoked the Lord's Prayer when giving thanks for my blessings and when asking him for forgiveness; when praising God and cursing evil. I have said these words when entreating that we leave this incredible gift of our planet sustainable for generations to follow.

It's remarkable that this simple prayer Jesus taught us is appropriate for all of life's circumstances. While I sometimes focus on and contemplate specific portions, I must admit there are many times I am just rotely repeating words without considering their meaning. But that is the beauty of Jesus' gift of the Lord's Prayer. We may not always have the right words for the moment,  but as Jesus taught, when we pray these words we know God is listening to us. He knows what is in our hearts. He knows why we are calling on him. When we pray the Lord's Prayer we are telling God we believe in him and we know that he loves us.

As Jesus preached to his disciples, when we pray we don't need to impress God with a script for his approval. The Lord's Prayer is a model of humility, sincerity, praise and direct communication with Our Father.