In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words.
New American Bible. (2011). (Revised Edition., Mt 6:7). Washington, DC: The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The Lord teaches us how to go to the Father. Praying is not reciting formulas, multiplying words and requests, but above all it is opening the heart and speaking to the Lord. It is recollecting – in silence – that we encounter the Lord through prayer and adoration.

Many times, until the Lord attends us, it is necessary “to hit the same key,” insisting on the same prayer and believe that in a certain moment divine providence will happen in our life.

The first teaching of Jesus with relation to prayer was to call God Father: “That not my will be done, but yours.” That it does not happen as I want, but as God wants. Christ teaches us to bless the name of the Lord. It is necessary to pray the Our Father, so as with other prayers, it is not a simple repetition of words, but meditating on each word with much love, knowing and savoring what we are praying. It  is the complete prayer in it is all the grace of our spiritual growth.

Praying is loving; loving is praying that is the secret of the saints.
Monsenhor Jonas Abib
Founder of the Canção Nova Community

translated from Portuguese