Scripture: Matthew 6:7-15

7 When you pray, do not say the same thing over and over again making long prayers like the people who do not know God. They think they are heard because their prayers are long. 8 Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

 9 "Pray like this: 'Our Father in heaven, Your name is holy. 10 May Your holy nation come. What You want done, may it be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us the bread we need today. 12 Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

 13 'Do not let us be tempted, but keep us from sin. *Your nation is holy. You have power and shining-greatness forever. Let it be so.'

14 "If you forgive people their sins, your Father in heaven will forgive your sins also. 15 If you do not forgive people their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Meditation: God is kind and forgiving towards us and he expects us to treat our neighbor the same. Do you treat others as they deserve, or do you treat them as the Lord would treat you with his grace and favor and mercy? Jesus’ prayer includes an injunction that we must ask God to forgive us in proportion as we forgive those who have wronged us. Ask the Lord to free your heart of any anger, bitterness, resentment, selfishness, indifference, or coldness towards others. Let the Holy Spirit fill you with the fire of his burning love and compassion and with the river of his overflowing mercy and kindness.

Prayer: “Father in heaven, you have given me a mind to know you, a will to serve you, and a heart to love you. Give me today the grace and strength to embrace your holy will and fill my heart with your love that all my intentions and actions may be pleasing to you. Give me the grace to be charitable in thought, kind in deed, and loving in speech towards all."

Psalm 97:1-7

1 The Lord rules. Let the earth be full of joy. Let the many islands be glad.
 2 Clouds and darkness are all around Him. His throne is built upon what is right and fair.
 3 Fire goes before Him and burns up those who hate Him on every side.
 4 His lightning lights up the world. The earth sees, and shakes.
 5 The mountains melt like a candle before the Lord, before the Lord of the whole earth.
 6 The heavens tell about how right and good He is. And all the people see His shining-greatness.

 7 Let all those who serve false gods be ashamed, those who talk about how great their gods are. Worship Him, all you gods!