Use the schema explained above:   Tell God about the situation, listen to God and scripture, dialogue with God as you reflect.

 

Step 1

Lord, I am finding it difficult to pray today.  St Paul said, the Holy Spirit prays for us when we are unable.

Today,  I am going to use the Lord’s Prayer as Jesus told us.

Father, I was not afraid of my own father because he always wanted and did what was best for me to the extent that he understood it at the time.   You do know what is best for me and you do what is best for me.  You created me and keep me.   My father did not love conditionally yet I never tried to disappoint him.   I heard that you do not “approve” of me, you love me when I’m lovable and when I’m not.   So, like Jesus, I call you Father and understand that all fatherhood is derivative of that and like so many analogies, this one limps.  It does not even approach describing how you love us.  I am really grateful.

Hallowed be Thy Name:

Let me say that I know your Name is blessed, holy and to be reverenced.  I am not to presume the right to be in your presence. But I would rather say I love your Name and all it represents.  In other words, I strive to love you back.   When I was baptized, I was made to be like Your Son.   He was a loyal Son and I want to be like him, so I can say, “Hallowed be Thy Name,” I love your Name, I love you.

Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be Done

When I am most lucid, I want what You want.   I want peace.  I hope Sister and Brothers can love one another and share the goods that you have given us rather than fight over goods, prestige, power.   I understand the kingdom to be described in the beatitudes, “blessed are the poor…”  You bless the poor, but we don’t always follow suit.   Cannot wait for the kingdom of heaven, but I would like to see more of it if only we would follow your direction.

Give Us This Day our Daily Bread

I think of this like floating on the “lazy river.” At a resort.   You are my shepherd; I shall not want…. You gave manna in the desert to our ancestors who were complaining bitterly.  Help me see how you feed us now.   Give Daily Bread to my family as they need it, to my friends and to those whom I do not like, do not approve, whom, I fear.   May all of us, good and bad, be thankful for what you give us.

So many are sick, some are in the last stages of preparing to meet you face to face.  I know you give them what they need, but know that I care for them too,

Forgive Us as We forgive

Father, I always worry about this one for two reasons – do I even realize what needs forgiveness in me.  What am I blind to?   Do I forgive as you forgive?  That gives me pause as well.

Help me to act as you act.

Don’t let us be tempted

I’m frail, I don’t want to be tempted.  You were tempted by the cunning devil.   Help me and others resist the evil one.

Deliver us from Evil

Step 2: Listen to God in Scripture

Psalm 63 O God, you are my God— it is you I seek! For you my body yearns; for you my soul thirsts, In a land parched, lifeless, and without water. 3I look to you in the sanctuary to see your power and glory. 4For your love is better than life;* my lips shall ever praise you! II 5I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands, calling on your name. 6My soul shall be sated as with choice food, with joyous lips my mouth shall praise you! 7I think of you upon my bed, I remember you through the watches of the night 8You indeed are my savior, and in the shadow of your wings, I shout for joy. 9My soul clings fast to you; your right hand upholds me.

Teaching About Prayer. 5“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. 6But 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. 7* In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words.* 8Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. The Lord’s Prayer. 9* “This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven,* hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come,* your will be done, on earth as in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread; 12 and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; 13and do not subject us to the final test, but deliver us from the evil one.

 

Put together what you said to God and what God said to you.  Dialogue.