St. Augustine, What Does “Thy Kingdom Come” Mean?
Question 56
What does “thy kingdom come” mean?
When we say, “Thy kingdom come” – which indubitably shall come whether we desire it or not – we arouse our own desire for that kingdom by saying these words. We pray that it come to us, and we be deemed worthy to reign in it… The coming of […]
St. Augustine, What Does “Hallowed be Thy Name” Mean?
Question 55
What does “hallowed be thy name” mean?
When praying hallowed be thy name, we remind ourselves to aspire to make God’s ever-holy name held as holy by all men. In other words, not scorned, which in any account is more an advantage for men than for God.
from St. Augustine Answers 101 Questions on Prayer by Fr. Ermatinger
St. Augustine, What Exactly Should We Pray For?
Question 54
If God wants us to ask him for what we need, what precisely is it that we need?
We pray for those things which it is our duty to ask for what we should not hesitate to ask, neither for ourselves, for our friends, and strangers, and yes, even for enemies…If we pray correctly…we pray for nothing except that which makes up […]
St. Augustine, How Should We Receive God’s Gifts?
Question 53
How can we receive what God bestows graciously?
The faith-filled man begins to treat this world with indifference. Suddenly he is not lifted up when prosperity comes his way, nor is he crushed under adversity, but he learns to praise God in all things…We should receive it all with God’s praise in our mouths, regardless of the nature of the gift, because we […]