Don’t just recite, Pray.

Focus on the meaning of the prayer when you pray. Sometimes we have silent time where we can sit and focus on prayers while other times our lives are quite busy and we may be saying a rosary in the car or while offering up chores for the souls in purgatory, but whatever it may be make sure you’re still focusing on what that prayer is saying and why you’re saying it. Give to God your intentions each day and who they are for as we being our intentions to every mass and our guardian angels carry them up to the alter for us.

Let’s look at the Lord’s Prayer:

Our Father

(first we greet God lovingly recognizing Him as Our Father who made us in His image)

Who art in Heaven Hallowed Be Thy Name

(We are starting our prayer with praise by telling God that we know that His name is Hallowed above all!)

Thy Kingdom Come Thy Will Be Done On Earth as it is In Heaven

(we look forward to Your second coming and to have a place with you in heaven & Not our will be done even tho we pray with intentions asking for health, financial aid, love, help in a situation, etc…, we know to say our prayers with a Thy will be Done because we know that God’s Will is much greater than ours. He sometimes answers our prayers the way we think we need but sometimes most of the time He doesn’t. He answers them in a different way. Why is that? Because He answers them in the way He knows that we actually need. He’s God He knows more than us. )

Give us this day Our Daily Bread

(If it be Your will bless us to have another day to praise you on earth with our families. Our Daily Bread - You sent Your Son to Be Our life giving bread sent down from heaven. We need to receive You into our lives often because we can’t go on through this worldly life without You with us.)

and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us

(Forgive us of our sinfulness and help us to forgive others who commit acts of sin or injustice against us as You did)

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil amen.

(Help stop us when we, your sheep are going astray good shepherd help us when we fall into the temptation to judge others, to act or speak wrongfully, or to sin in any way. You came into this world because You knew we couldn’t face these things alone we are weak but with You we can face anything. Clothed in Strength…. Deliver us from evil ways and help us to look only at the good ways that You have given to us while making us in Your image.)

Try to truly focus on the meaning of the prayers that you say. Including ones like these:

Hail Mary

Hail Holy Queen

Glory Be

O My Jesus (Fatima Prayer)

Act of Contrition

Angel of God

St Micheal Prayer

Now I lay me down to sleep prayer