~ When You Pray ~

"And when you pray,
do not be like the hypocrites,
for they love to pray
standing in the synagogues and on the street corners
to be seen by men.
I tell you the truth,
they have received their reward in full.
But when you pray,
go into your room,
close the door and pray to your Father,
who is unseen.
Then your Father,
who sees what is done in secret,
will reward you.
And when you pray,
do not keep on babbling like pagans,
for they think they will be heard
because of their many words.
Do not be like them,
for your Father knows what you need
before you ask Him.

"This, then, is how you should pray:

"'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be Your name,
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done
as in heaven so upon the earth.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.'

For if you forgive men when they sin against you,
your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive men their sins,
your Father will not forgive your sins."

(Matthew 6:5-15)