Classic Catholic advice on prayer includes praying an Our Father and a Hail Mary at the beginning and end of the day. It is some of the basic stuff Mary talked about at La Salette in 1846 - the community I once belonged to keeps the memory of this event alive today.
What if we used this routine of the most basic (but not simplisitc) of prayers as the filter for our day? What if the Our Father became a way for us to set our intention for the day?
Our Father... AM: I raise my awareness or recall that God is with me at every moment. I am loved at every moment. PM: I thank God that he was with me all day, and I recall specific moments in which I was aware or unaware at the time, that God was near.
who art in heaven... AM: I am accountable at every moment according to higher standards than just my wants and needs. PM: How have I been accountable to God's law today?
hallowed be thy name... AM: My life ought to reflect God's holiness. PM: How have I glorified God today?
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven... AM: I ask of each activity today, what is the will of God at this moment? How shall I conduct myself so as to reflect the presence of God's reign breaking in at this moment? PM: Where did I see God's reign breaking in today? How did I cooperate with God's will or fail to?
Give us this day our daily bread... AM: Dependence on God at every moment. I acknolwedge that I do not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. PM: I give thanks to God for all the grace I have been supported by today.
And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us... AM: Where are the traps for me today? What habits do I need to be freed from so I can truly live in the freedom of the children of God? Who will I deal with who I have trouble with? PM: In addition to God, whose forgiveness do I need from today and for what? Will there be a chance to apolgize and ask forgiveness tomorrow? PM: I ask forgiveness of God for my sins.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil... AM: What situations will pose challenges to my virtuous living today? How will might I be tempted to take glory, rather than give it to God? For what might I need to fast and pray to remain in God's grace? PM: I thank God for keeping me free from sin and for protecting me from harm, and for helping me to weather the storms that came to my life today.
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