HOW TO PRAY?

June 19, 2025 Thursday within the 11th week in Ordinary Time Year C Matthew 6:7–15 Prayer is at the heart of being a Christian. In today’s gospel, Jesus leads us into the quiet heart of prayer—not with complicated flowery words or lengthy speeches, but with a simple invitation to speak to God as a child speaks to a loving Father. He warns us not to “heap up empty phrases” as the pagans do, reminding us that our Father already knows what we need before we ask. Let me share 3S for today’s reflection. This is where the first “S” comes in: When you pray make it SHORT. Not because God is impatient, but because He listens with His heart, not His stopwatch. What matters most is not how long we pray, but how deeply we mean it. God does not need our flowery words! The second “S” is when you pray make it SINCERE. The Lord’s Prayer is a model of honest, humble prayer. Jesus teaches us to say, “Your will be done,” not because it’s easy, but because it takes great trust. When we pray sincerely, we are not trying to impress God—we are surrendering to Him. Whether we are asking for our daily bread or forgiveness for our sins, our words are real, raw, and reverent. In those moments of sincerity, prayer stops being a ritual and becomes a relationship. Friends, it is not the amount of words nor the time we spent that matters but the sincerity of our faith that is important when we pray. Lastly, prayer must be SPECIFIC. Jesus didn’t give us vague words—He gave us focused, powerful petitions. We ask for what we need: bread, mercy, strength against temptation, and deliverance from evil. Ask for whatbyou need not what you want. When we are specific in prayer, we invite God into the details of our lives. And as Filipino migrants and families living far from home, our hearts carry real, personal burdens. The Lord hears each one. So, when you kneel to pray—keep it short, sincere, and specific. God doesn’t need many words… He only needs your heart. CONCLUSION: 3S Learning how to pray is the greatest way to learn. When you pray make it SHORT, SPECIFIC and SINCERE. Blessings Fr. Jhack