| Finance

We are familiar with the Lord’s Prayer. Perhaps so familiar we can say it without it registering at depth within our heart and being. A fresh review of the prayer and the context of Christ’s teaching is always helpful to add perspective, especially to mundane issues like spending, saving, investing and paying taxes.

Jesus taught this prayer in direct response to a request from one of his disciples.

From St. Matthew: Chapter 6: 5-13

5. "When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.

6. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

7. In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words.

8. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

9. "This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

10. your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.

11. Give us today our daily bread;

12. and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors;

13. and do not subject us to the final test, but deliver us from the evil one.

In all our ways, our thoughts, our actions, and our plans, Your Kingdom Come, Your Will Be Done, on Earth As It Is In Heaven. Amen.