Day 7: Tuesday of the First Week of Lent – Matthew 6

Day 7: Tuesday of the First Week of Lent – Matthew 6:6

Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

Today’s Lenten Reflection

Do you remember when you were little and your mother would tell you to stop doing something even though she could not see you? “I have eyes in the back of my head,” she would say … and you knew she meant it … or at least some version of it. She must have! Today’s Gospel leads us to reflect on God and His role. We imagine Him busy in Heaven, tending to all sorts of different matters, yet all the while knowing every sin, sorrow and silliness taking place in our individual lives. “Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him,” Jesus assures us. It’s tempting to ask ourselves why we need to ask God for anything if He already knows what we need. Can’t God just come to our rescue? Put us out of our misery and show us the way even if we don’t ask for it outright? We find the answer to this question in the next verse when Jesus explains to his disciples how to pray. Even though we need no words at all to talk to God, there are some words that are encouraged, offering us a good place to start: The Our Father Prayer. The Our Father is one of the first prayers we learn as children and one of the most powerful prayers we repeat this side of Heaven. Yes, God knows what we need before we say a word. But God desires for us to speak to Him. He wants to hear what is on our hearts from us and to be in constant communion with Him. Sharing with God draws us closer to Him and Him closer to us which forms a beautiful bridge between our hearts and His; between here and there.

Day 7 Lenten Meditation

Try this prayer experiment today: At some point during the day, say audibly the Our Father Prayer, slowly, thoughtfully, prayerfully. Ponder each line separately and reflect on these words given to us by Jesus Himself. Then, later in the day, sit in silence with no words. Feel God’s presence, heart to heart. How do those two methods differ? Does one make you feel closer to God? Does one feel more natural, more comfortable? Continue experimenting with different methods of prayer in the days and weeks ahead, keeping in mind that God already knows what you need but wants you to come to Him in prayer in order to forge a deeper and stronger relationship with Him.

Lenten Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for hearing our prayers — spoken and unspoken — and for knowing our hearts even when we forget to pray. Thank You also for desiring to communicate with us, just as we so desire to communicate with You. Through our prayers Lord, we trust Your will, Your Word, and Your answer. As we move through this Lenten season, please help us to desire above all things that Your Holy Name be glorified, and that Your Kingdom come. Amen.

Today’s suggested Penance

*Spend 10 minutes slowly meditating on the Our Father prayer

“Life with Christ is a wonderful adventure” –Saint John Paul II.