PRAYING WITH PURE HEARTS AND TRUST
Rev. Fr. Kingsley Chukwunonso Ogbu
St. Bernard 's Parish Ojiegbe Onunwakpu Igbeagu Izzi LGA Ebonyi State
Abstract
In this reflection, Rev. Fr. Kingsley Chukwunonso Ogbu, SMMM reminds us that true prayer flows from a pure heart and unwavering trust in God. Drawing from Isaiah 55:10–11 and Matthew 6:7–15, he teaches that God’s Word never fails and that the Father already knows our needs. Prayer is not about many words, but about faith, sincerity, and forgiveness. When we forgive others and trust fully in God, our prayers become powerful and fruitful.
Homily of Tuesday Wk 1 of Lent Yr A
Today God calls to pray with pure hearts and have unwavering trust in God our Father who does not fail to make his words come through in our lives, no matter the condition. Remember that as the rain or snow falls from heaven and does not return until it makes food grow for the eater and seed for the sower, so also no Word of God goes back without accomplishing God's plans, for which it is sent. (cf. Isaiah 55:10-11). God's plan for us is for our holistic salvation, for our good not bad. (cf. Jer 29:11).
Thus God our Father knows all our needs even before we ask him for them (cf. Mtt 6:8)
Many a time, we pray without trust in the efficacy of the prayer we pray. This happens most often due to the doubts and impurity in our hearts. We often doubt the fact that God hears even the sighs of our heart. We often think that it is by shouting and saying plenty of words repeatedly that God hears us.
However, Jesus Christ in the gospel pericope of today (Mtt 6:7-15) teaches us how to pray, trusting in the words we say, which are the Words of God. This is the Lord's prayer and is the most efficacious prayer both holistically and potentially. Its far reaching effects accrue from its multi-dimensional impact in all the various aspects of our life and of whatever we could ask for. There is practically nothing we could pray for, that is not contained in the Lord's Prayer.
Finally, unforgiving Spirit is a stain and burden in our hearts. It breeds distrust and casts doubts and thus is a barrier to our getting what we ask from the Lord. When next you pray, remember to keep your heart pure. Forgive those who offend you, so that your heavenly Father will also forgive you (cf Mtt 6:14-15). Then will your prayer be more effective.
Peace be with you!
MARANATHA