Don’t pray when you feel like it. Have a set appointment with the Lord daily and keep it.

'Virtues are formed by prayer. Prayer preserves temperance. Prayer suppresses anger. Prayer prevents emotions of pride and envy. Prayer draws into the soul the Holy Spirit, and raises man to Heaven.'  - St. Ephrem the Syrian: (306 – 373: was a Syriac Christian deacon and a theologian of the 4th century.)

Gospel Text: (MT 6:7-15)

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."

Today’s gift of the “Our Father” has few words, but words revealing a fullness of meaning.  We discover the fullness of who God is for us and how we, united to God and each other through the Lord Jesus, are guided and directed to the fullness of who we are to be.