In today's Gospel, Matthew 6: 7-15, Jesus reminds us that God the "Father knows what [we] need before [we] ask Him". Therefore, we are to keep our prayer short and "not babble on like the pagans do." Rather simply pray as follows:
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil"
Our Father/Mother God, hallowed be your name! Praise be to You, O God! May your Kingdom be realized here on earth as in heaven, that is, a Kingdom of justice and peace! May all on earth be one, one with one another and with God, as in heaven! May your will be done here on earth as in heaven, that is, may all peoples be treated with equality, loved beyond measure and unconditionally! May Your will be done here on earth as in heaven for all men and women regardless of creed or religion, race or ethnicity, status or gender, rich or poor; that is, may all men and women be recognized as a son or a daughter of God, as a brother or a sister to Jesus Christ.
May everyone be given his/her daily bread. May no one go to bed hungry or die of starvation! Forgive us for contributing to anyone suffering here on earth: suffering because of injustice, prejudice, hatred, another person's greediness, lust for power and control; suffering because of our indifference and selfish accumulation of unnecessary wealth that deprives others of what they need to put food on their table, to give their children what they need to do well for their own children!
And, finally, Lord, keep us from calling into Satan's trap of temptation that brings evil to ourselves or to others. I ask this in Jesus' name! Amen!
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