
Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.
Today's Gospel: Matthew 6:7-15
We live in a hurting world where there’s always someone in need of prayer. Being part of several different faith-based groups, there are times when I’m bombarded with more prayer requests than I can count.
When my kids were younger and life was so frenetic, I didn’t have the head or heart space for a single thing more. Each time I got a request to pray for someone, the best I could do was throw up a quick “Please, God, bless ___.”
Now that I have less chaos in my life, I want to be more intentional with my petitions, taking the time to expand my blessing so I’m truly investing my heart.
Matthew 6:9-13 has become my template. I now pray the Our Father for each person in need but insert their name to make it personal. For example, rather than “Give us today our daily bread,” I say, “Give Paula today her daily bread."
I believe our daily bread is more than what feeds us physically; I think it’s whatever is best for us on that day. For one person, it could be guiding the hands of the doctor when they’re having surgery. For another, it could be filling their mind with peace in the midst of a difficult situation. For another, it could be changing the heart of the loved one who has gone astray.
When the disciples asked Jesus how they should pray, the Our Father was His response. Personalizing and praying it for someone in need means we’re saying words that came straight from Jesus’ lips that go directly to God’s ears.
Ponder:
What prayer do I offer up when I’m asked to pray for someone? Have I ever tried personalizing the Our Father for the one in need?
Pray:
Our Father, give those in need their daily bread.
Copyright 2024 Claire McGarry
About the Author

Claire McGarry
Claire McGarry is the author of Grace in Tension: Discover Peace with Martha and Mary, and the Lenten family devotionals With Our Savior and Abundant Mercy. Claire is a regular contributor to Living Faith, and her freelance work has appeared in several books, magazines, and devotionals. She blogs weekly at Shifting My Perspective, and lives in New Hampshire with her husband and three children. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon.
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