I am always amazed and wonder how God always listens and answers my prayers. The biggest mystery to me is what part I play in answering my prayer. This is important to me because it gives meaning to my life. I have realized over a lifetime that my joy and happiness now depend on my playing my role in fulfilling God’s mission for me on earth. “Thus says the Lord: Just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fruitful, Giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats.”

So, I don’t know how to pray. What do I need to do? For what should I be asking God to do? It is all a mystery to me. Thank God the apostles were wise enough to ask God to teach them how to pray while he was on earth. He taught them the prayer we call “Our Father.”

The opening words make us feel like we are family. It makes me feel like I am loved and protected. He advises that just as we are forgiven for our mistakes, we should forgive others. He assures us that he will lead us in ways that will bring his promise of the kingdom of God to earth as it is in heaven, just as Isaiah said of his word that it would not return to him until it was fulfilled.

Prayer:

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. Amen

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