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The Lord's Prayer
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“The Lord’s prayer is the most perfect of prayers…in it we ask, not only for the things we rightly deserve, but also in the sequence that they should be desired. This prayer not only teaches us to ask for things, but also in what order we should desire them. “(St. Thomas Aquinas sth II-II, 83,9.)
This prayer can be viewed as a series of seven separate petitions. (Catechism of the Catholic Church pgs 673-686).
I - Hallowed be thy name – Reminds us to treat God’s name with respect and in a holy way.
I I - Thy kingdom come – to remind us that the kingdom of God is coming and is at hand.
III - Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven – We ask God to bestow his justice upon us.
IV - Give us this day our daily bread – We look to God as our Father, and trust him with our well being.
V – And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us – We ask for redemption and are reminded to forgive others as well.
VI – And lead us not into temptation – We ask God’s help to avoid the temptation of evil.
VII – But deliver us from evil – We ask for salvation and deliverance from the devil.
This prayer is called the “Lord’s prayer”, because it was presented to us by Jesus himself and as you can see, it is the most perfect of prayers or communication with God. He alone has set the guidelines for our communication with Him, and for sorting out our priorities in this life.
