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Our Foundation
Our foundation in faith is built on prayer. Just as the apostles sought guidance, we too yearn for a deeper connection with God. Jesus, in his wisdom, gifted us with the Lord's Prayer, a simple yet profound model for communicating with our Abba. It's a reminder that we can approach God with vulnerability and honesty, just as Jesus did.
Think about Jesus's life. He often withdrew from the crowds, from the demands of ministry, to spend time in intimate conversation with his Father. He showed us that it's okay to bring our fears, our sadness, our worries – all of it – to God in prayer. This resonates so powerfully with Lauren Daigle's "First." The lyrics, "You were first, oh Lord, You were first," speak to this very act of prioritizing God, of making Him the foundation of our lives, the first one we turn to. Just as Jesus prioritized his relationship with the Father, we are called to do the same.
Matthew's Gospel speaks of praying in our "inner room." This isn't just a physical space, but a sacred space within ourselves, a dedicated time where we connect with God. It can feel challenging to carve out this time, but the fact that we're here, together, is a testament to the Holy Spirit's guidance. We’ve answered that call to fellowship, prayer, and reflection.
Jesus reminds us that God already knows our hearts, yet He still desires our communication. He doesn't impose Himself; He waits patiently for us to open the door. But why should we pray if God already knows? Why should we seek Him first?
St. Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower, offers a beautiful perspective. She encourages us to pray with simplicity, love, and confidence. Like a child speaking to a parent, we can pour out our hearts to God without pretense or elaborate language. We can infuse even the smallest tasks with love, recognizing that nothing is insignificant in God's eyes. And we can approach God with confidence, believing in the power of prayer.
This "Little Way" of the Flower resonates with me. It reminds me that prayer isn't about grand gestures or perfect words, but about genuine connection. It's about bringing our hearts to God, open and receptive to His grace. Sometimes our prayers are for small things, sometimes for mountains to move. But always, God wants to hear us. He longs for us to seek Him, to open that channel of communication so He can pour out His love, mercy, and grace.
So, let's cultivate that "inner room." Let’s create that space, that time, where we can simply be with our Father. When we prioritize seeking Him first, as the song "First" reminds us, He will transform us into the women He created us to be. Let's now turn to the Lord's Prayer, the very prayer Jesus taught us, and bring our hearts to Him.