Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Or Optional Memorial of Saint Romuald, Abbot
Matthew 6:7-15
To Pray Is to Speak with the Heart

In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us how to pray—not with many words, not with performance, but from the heart. “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Mt 6:8). Prayer, then, is not about impressing God. It’s about sharing life with Him.

1 Prayer is a relationship.
God is not a distant master or a divine ATM. He is a companion, a Father who walks with us. So don’t reduce prayer to a list of requests. Speak to God simply. Tell Him how you are, what you’re carrying, what hurts or brings you joy. He listens. He understands. Let your life become prayer, and your prayer become life—an ongoing conversation, like the beating of your heart.

2 The “Our Father” is everything.
It’s the most complete prayer. When we say “Father,” we remember we are not alone. We are loved. And when we pray “as we forgive those who trespass against us,” we’re reminded that forgiveness is the door to peace. Forgiveness is hard. It requires grace. But it begins in prayer. Choose a phrase from this prayer today—live with it, pray it throughout your day. Let it sink into your soul.

3 Pray in secret.
Jesus tells us: don’t show off. God isn’t looking for applause—He’s looking for your heart. Find your quiet room, or sit before the Blessed Sacrament. Show yourself to Jesus simply and honestly. That is where real prayer begins.

Prayer transforms everything. It lights up our struggles and fills them with meaning. It brings peace where chaos reigns, and hope where pain prevails.

So today, let us pray… with our hearts. And may the Father who sees in secret reward us with His peace.
Amen.

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