Weekly Practice 2/2/26
Make every effort to do or reflect upon this week’s practice with others.
Scripture
Matthew 6:7-13 MSG
“The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:
Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what’s best—
as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You’re in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You’re ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Practice
Just Ask
This week, ask God to address your seen and unseen needs. The things that keep you up at night, and those things on the edge of your mind that you’re barely aware of. He is good and he is wise. He sees you and your circumstances, and all that complexity, with utterly clarity. He knows better than you what you need. So, just ask.
Here’s a helpful adaptation of the Lord’s prayer from Richard Foster’s aptly named book, Prayer:
Dear Father, I don’t want to treat you like Santa Claus, but I do need to ask things of you. Give me, please, food to eat today. I’m not asking for tomorrow, but I am asking for today. Please forgive me for the infinite offenses to your goodness that I have committed today… this hour. I’m not even aware of most of them. I live too unaware. That in itself is a sin against heaven. I’m sorry. Increase my awareness.
And in my ignorance if I have asked for things that would really be destructive, please, do not give them to me—do not lead me into temptation. Do protect me from the evil one.
For Jesus’ sake. Amen.
And speaking of adaptations
Here’s a lovely song based on the Anima Christi, the prayer I shared last week.
