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In today's Gospel text, Jesus teaches us how to pray. The prayer He teaches is the 'Our Father'. The 'Our Father' is the only prayer that Jesus teaches in the Gospels.
Jesus assures us that our Heavenly Father knows what we need even before we ask Him, so with such security, we need only to ask for the basics to live the day with (v.11). But there is something above and beyond the basics that Jesus emphasises that we should ask for - we should ask the Father 'to forgive us our debts, as we forgive those who are in debt to us' (v.12). In other words, we ask for God's forgiveness of our wrongdoings, and at the same time, we pray for a disposition to forgive the people who have done us wrong. The Father's forgiveness of me hinges on my being forgiving of others (vv. 14, 15).
Our Father, please help me to be forgiving so that I can free myself from the rancour or hatred that is poisoning me; bring me closer to Your love! Amen!
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DAILY OFFERING
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Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.
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PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
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INTENTION
We pray for Christian families around the world; may they embody and experience unconditional love and advance in holiness in their daily lives.
Elaboration
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