"Don’t tell God what your praying for. He knows. Just pray. "
I think I read this “quote” in one of the readings at Mass awhile back, but can’t
be sure.
If He did say it, how come this admonition is so often ignored—not only by the Christian laity, but by Christian men and women of the cloth. (Admittedly, I’m as guilty as anyone else in this department.) We pray for peace, for the sick, for the needy, for our people in Iraq, for the dearly departed, for our enemies, our loved ones, friends, neighbors, pets, better weather, etc., etc.
I’m pretty sure that Jesus didn’t say that, and in fact, at one point, says that you should pray for things…the whole “Ask and it will be given unto you” sermon.
He does say at one point that his disciples shouldn’t worry about things like getting enough to eat or clothes to wear, because God will provide.
Is it possible that he says both? That never happens, does it?
BarnOwl, perhaps you’re thinking of Matthew 6:7 “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven…”
Although I’m sure this could be interpreted in several ways, I’ve always thought of it as “say simply this” and no more. The Lord’s Prayer contains a few general requests, such as asking to be forgiven, but I gathered that if there is anything you need in addition, God will provide.
That never happens, does it?