Our prayers are often centered on what we need, what we want to have or possess. And most often, we use so many words, as if God needs to be convinced as to what we need here on earth. In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us the proper way of praying.

First, he teaches us not to use too many words, just like the pagans do. In the Our Father prayer that he teaches us, we note that the first part, rather than jumping directly to things we ask for, directs us to acknowledge or recognize God and even asks us for three things on God’s behalf: that his name be made holy; that his Kingdom come; and that his will be done both on earth and in heaven.

We know that God does not need anything, but we also know that many people lack knowledge and recognition of God, or use his name in vain, or live as if this world is the final “kingdom.”

Thus, beginning with these, our prayer becomes Godcentered. Only then does the second part of the prayer contain prayers of petition on our behalf: our daily sustenance, forgiveness of sins which presumes we have forgiven those who have wronged us, and deliverance from temptation and evil.

These are the core of what we need and even these God already knows we need them. Let us then pray the Our Father with utmost sincerity and devotion.

Brothers and sisters: 1 If only you would put up with a little foolishness from me! Please put up with me. For I am jealous of you with the jealousy of God, since I betrothed you to one husband to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts may be corrupted from a sincere and pure commitment to Christ.

For if someone comes and preaches another Jesus than the one we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it well enough. For I think that I am not in any way inferior to these “superapostles.”

Even if I am untrained in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; in every way we have made this plain to you in all things. Did I make a mistake when I humbled myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the Gospel of God to you without charge?

I plundered other churches by accepting from them in order to minister to you. And when I was with you and in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my needs. SoI refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way. By the truth of Christ in me, this boast of mine shall not be silenced in the regions of Achaia. And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!

Responsorial Psalm • Ps 111 “Your works, O Lord, are justice and truth.” or “Alleluia.”

Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This is how you are to pray: ‘Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’ “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2025,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.