When you pray, the Lord says, go into your room, shut the door, and pray to your Father in secret ( Matthew 6 : 6 ). In other words, when you pray in private, pray like you mean it for prayer is not about rattling off words for the sake of words. Its about speaking from the heart, and meaning what you say.

The Lord’s Prayer, the Our Father, was given to us by Jesus 2000 years ago to help us to pray. It never goes out of date for it is immortal. It’s the ultimate example of how to pray, so when you pray it, pray it like you mean it.

Following is a meditation on this perennial prayer ( Matthew 6 : 9-13 ) which I hope you will find helpful:

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 do not 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