43. Prayer and Fasting

 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by people. They have received their reward. But when you pray, enter your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. When praying, don’t use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do; they think they will be heard for their many words. Don’t be like them; your Father knows what you need even before you ask. 

Pray like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. Let your Kingdom come, let your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we also forgive those who sin against us. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen. ’

“If you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive others their sins, neither will your Father forgive yours.

“When you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites with sad faces, disfigured  to be admired by others. I tell you, they have received their reward. When you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face; so that you are not seen to be fasting; your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.

Jesus warned against “vain repetition” in prayers. Do you find yourself praying the same thing in the same way over and over? What could make your conversations with God less repetitive?

Prayer: Forgive me, Lord, when my prayers to you sound like I’m just going through the motions.