The first rule for prayer, the most important first step, is not about how to do it, but to just do it; not to perfect and complete it but to begin it. Once the car is moving, it’s easy to steer it in the right direction, but it’s much harder to start it up when it’s stalled. And prayer is stalled in our world.

Jesus himself has shown us by his own example that prayer and fasting are the first and most effective weapons against the forces of evil. - Pope John Paul II

Gospel Text: (MT 6:1-6, 16-18)

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Take care not to perform righteous deeds
in order that people may see them;
otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets
to win the praise of others.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites,
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners
so that others may see them.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door,
and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to others to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

Holiness is especially found in your hidden life.  There, where you are seen only by God, you must act in a way that pleases God.  You must live a life of virtue, prayer, sacrifice and self-giving when only God sees.  If you can live this way in your hidden life, you can also be certain that your hidden life of grace will affect others in a way that only God can orchestrate.  When you strive for holiness in a hidden way, God sees that and uses it for good.  This hidden life of grace becomes the foundation for who you are and how you interact with others.  They may not see all you do, but they will be affected by the goodness within your soul.