Matthew 6:7-15
The Lord’s prayer reminds us how important it is to put
our hope in God, and I find it can be an extremely liberating prayer. To say your will be done (not mine) is an expression of our faith and trust in God’s purpose for our lives.
It is also an act of offering up all that we are concerned about, asking God to help us carry our burdens and inviting the Holy Spirit to move within each situation we face.
Vladimir lives in Bolivia in South America. He and his young family have been part of an agricultural project set up by CAFOD’s partner Fundación Nuna on the Bolivian Altiplano.
Vladimir is a farmer and faces many difficulties in harsh conditions. He speaks of the importance of living by faith.
“When there’s no rain, we worry because the plants will be small, like the potato plants are now. The lack of rain really worries us. These days, when we’re worried about food, I feel sad. I’m sad that we’re not going to even have enough food. I feel upset and discouraged. But I have faith that everything will work out OK.
“My faith has always helped me through difficult times. When you have faith, everything is possible. When you don’t have faith, you’re almost in two minds – is it going to work, or not? Are we going to be able to grow food? But when you have faith, you know that you will succeed.”
Vladimir’s prayer
Lord God, Almightyon earth and in heaven,
help each of us, your children,
to forgive one another for our sins,
in our perception, our thoughts and our actions,
forgive us in all that we do.
Bless us with food, and lead us not into temptation.
Thank you for giving us another day of life,
for your gifts of clean air and the glorious sun.
Amen.