Authentic Prayer (Mt 6:9) by Dr. Rich Reich

24 Feb Authentic Prayer (Mt 6:9) by Dr. Rich Reich

“This is how you are to pray:  Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name…” ~ Mt 6:9 (full readings)
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Rich’s Reflections:  St. Augustine taught that the “Our Father” is not only a prayer, but the criterion for all authentic prayer intentions.  When we say “Hallowed be your name”, we are reminding ourselves to desire that His name, which in fact is always holy, should be considered holy among men. When we say “Your kingdom come”, it will surely come whether we will it or not. We are simply stirring up our desires for the kingdom. When we say “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”, we are asking God to make us obedient so that His will may be done in us as it is done in heaven by His angels.  As you can see from these examples that authentic prayer is about changing ourselves; about changing our hearts.  We do not plead to change God’s will, but to change ourselves to accept His will.  By praying for the unborn, we are opening ourselves to God’s will.  God gave us life and His will is that we have it forever.  Praying for the unborn enlightens our minds to an awareness and to a renewed conviction that all human life is sacred.  By changing our minds, we are able to accept the will of God Who strengthens us to defend human life against every action that threatens or weakens it.  This is why authentic prayer is so important to us.  Pray for the unborn.
* Dr. Rich Reich is the co-founder of the National LIFE Runners Team.  He is married to Erica and lives in Colorado Springs, CO.  Full bio..

Faith Challenge:   Pray for the unborn.  May God give us the strength to defend all human life.

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel..
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Our Prayers: Pray LIFE Runners Creed to End Abortion.  Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, unceasingly. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
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Feast Day:  St. John Theristus
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Faith Quote:  “To us, therefore, words are necessary, that by them we may be assisted in considering and observing what we ask, not as means by which we expect that God is to be either informed or moved to compliance.” ~ St. Augustine, Letter 130 to Proba
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Through Christ our Lord,
Rich
James 1:22