Being raised Catholic, I was inundated with prayers. We went to Mass everyday before school. Before our classes, we would pray. Before our lunch break, we prayed. At the end of the day, we prayed again. One thing that was consistent in a Catholic school, was Prayer. After a while, those prayers were said without meaning. You would say the words but not have any idea about the intention of the prayer. The Our Father   is one of them. I’m gonna take that prayer and dissect it for this particular blog piece. Why? There might be some of you stuck in your own prayer life. You might be praying a prayer without a personal intention. As a result, you’re going through the motions; not realizing that the words to the prayer are saying something really important.

Our Father, who art in heaven. (God, this prayer is for you in heaven.) Hallowed be thy name. (Your name is holy and needs to be said with respect.) Thy Kingdom come. (What you’ve taught us in the Bible of a better lifestyle for those of us who believe, is going to come.) Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. (The plan or will for our lives that you designed for us when we were born, will come to pass as we live on earth.) Give us this day, our daily bread. (God, give us the guidance or discernment we need, to make better decisions in our lives. Make it clear to us. Lead us day by day to the finish line of victory, that you planned for us.) And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.  (God, forgive me for my daily screw ups. If I judge too quickly or lie to someone; please forgive me. I will do the same in forgiving those who piss me off, etc.) And lead us not into temptation. (Give me the courage to stay away from people or situations that tempt me or pull me off track. This could be gossiping, watching pornography, swearing etc.) But, deliver us from evil. (Keep us away from bad things.) Amen.

I’m now saying this prayer with a different focus. Not just saying the words; but purposely thinking about what I’m praying about, and conveying the prayer, with a stronger connection to God.

Question for you: Are you praying with an honest intention or just saying words?

Focus: God, communication, spirit