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Our Daily Prayers

Readings for Feb. 8-9, Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

By Fr. Edward Looney | For On Mission

Each one of us has prayers that we say on a daily basis. The ordained and consecrated are committed to praying daily the Liturgy of the Hours. Our Lady requested the daily Rosary during her apparition in Fatima. Bishop David Ricken recommends regular Lectio Divina in his “Five Alive” practices. 

We all have picked up scripted prayers along the way, too. There are also short little prayers or aspirations we can pray throughout the day, too, like, “Lord have mercy on me.” 

In this weekend’s first reading, which recounts the calling of the Prophet Isaiah, he says at the very end, “Here I am, send me.” 

This, too, is a beautiful prayer. It could become a daily prayer for us as we greet a new day: “Here I am Lord, I want to do your will today; I want to go where you want me to go; do what you want me to do, and say what you want me to say.” 

There are numerous times in the Scriptures that this phrase, “Here I am Lord,” is spoken. As I think about the saints, I realize that this was their prayer, too. Every day they showed up for God, declaring in his presence, “Here I am Lord.” This short prayer is the prayer of Isaiah, Samuel and the Blessed Virgin. If we want to become a saint, it should become our prayer, too. 

The second reading is a reminder of the Gospel that was preached and handed on to the Corinthians and the early Christians. 

This could be seen as a prayer of recollection, recalling what God has done and said. This happens when we reflect on the Scriptures, with Lectio Divina or when we pray the Rosary. The second reading also contains creedal statements which we profess when we pray the Apostles Creed or the Nicene Creed. 

Finally, our Gospel contains a prayer of contrition and repentance: “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” 

When we daily examine our conscience and see what wrong we have done or said, we acknowledge our sinfulness and need for mercy. The Act of Contrition could become a part of our daily prayers or, when we have said something we shouldn’t have, our next sentence should be under our breath as a prayer, “Lord, I am sorry.” 

How can you deepen your daily prayer routine? Is there something you’d like to add? Do you want to change it up? Could simple and short prayers be added? 

When we pray, the Lord gives us his grace to remain faithful to him every day. Our daily prayer will help us become the saint that Jesus calls us to be.

Fr. Looney serves as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawano, and priest celebrant of St. Martin of Tours Parish, Cecil. He is the author of Praying with the Church Through Lent. 

The readings for Sunday, February 9, can be found at Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

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