One of the disciples saw Jesus praying quietly. The disciple knew prayer was important to believers, and he was familiar with the ritual prayers of Jews, but he still wondered how to pray. So, he asked the Master: “Lord, teach us to pray?”

Prayer is essential for our spiritual growth and survival. Simply put, prayer is conversation with God. That is what Jesus was doing when the disciple popped the question: “Lord, teach us to pray?” There are many ways to communicate with God. You can contemplate the grandeur of God through His works in nature; you can experience the nearness of God through the power of music which is the bridge between the sensual and the spiritual; you can appreciate the ways of God in great works of literature which delve into the depths and variety of human experience.

But the most effective way of praying, as we will see, is Meditation: meditation on the Word of the Lord in Scripture. When you open the scriptures, you need to think about what you’re reading, you need to meditate on it. Only then will the scriptures become alive to you; only then will they become a force in your life. When Jesus gave the disciples the Lord’s Prayer, he gave them a beautiful meditation, something to ponder in the depths of the soul, and put into practice.

I have offered a meditation on the Lord’s prayer before, but it bears repeating again because the Lord’s Prayer is the perfect prayer or meditation. When you pray the Lord’s Prayer, meditate on every word, and resolve to put what you have learnt into practice. Here is a meditation on the Lord’s Prayer that is by no means complete but it does show the importance of meditating on every word:

I cannot say “Our” – if my religion has no room for other people and their needs.

I cannot say “Father” – if I do not acknowledge everyone as my brother and sister.

I cannot say “Who art in Heaven” – If all my interests and pursuits are earthly things.

I cannot say “Hallowed be Thy Name” – if I do not fight prejudice in His name.

I cannot say “Thy kingdom come” – if I am unwilling to accept the reign of God.

I cannot say “Thy will be done” – if I negate His guidance by insisting on my own will.

I cannot say “on earth as it is in Heaven” – if I do not put His word into practice.

I cannot say “Give us this day our daily bread” – if I do not feed the hungry.

I cannot say “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”- if I harbor a grudge against anyone.

I cannot say “Lead us not into temptation”- if I wont avoid the occasions of sin.

I cannot say “Deliver us from evil” – if I do not fight against the evils of the world.

I cannot say “Amen” – if I do not agree, heart and soul.

—Fr. Hugh Duffy