Day 359: The Seven Petitions (2024)

Tue Dec 24 2024

In the Lord’s Prayer, we make seven different petitions to our Father in heaven. Together, we examine what makes each set of these seven petitions different. Fr. Mike unpacks how the first three petitions emphasize love of the Father, the next two concern us in the present world, and the final two concern the battle of prayer. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2803-2806.

Summary

Episode Summary: Day 359 – The Seven Petitions

Podcast: The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Released: December 24, 2024
Duration: Approximately 20 minutes

Introduction

In Day 359: The Seven Petitions of Ascension's The Catechism in a Year podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz delves deep into the structure and significance of the seven petitions found in the Lord's Prayer. Drawing from paragraphs 2803 to 2806 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Fr. Mike offers listeners a comprehensive exploration of each petition, elucidating their theological and spiritual implications.

Understanding the Structure of the Seven Petitions

Fr. Mike begins by outlining the division of the seven petitions into two distinct groups:

First Three Petitions: Glorifying God
- Hallowed be Thy name
- Thy kingdom come
- Thy will be done
These petitions focus solely on honoring and glorifying God, devoid of any self-referential requests. Fr. Mike emphasizes that this structure reflects the primary characteristic of love—loving God above all else. As he states, “the first three highlight the primary characteristic of love, to think first of the One whom we love” (07:45).
Last Four Petitions: Addressing Human Needs and Spiritual Battle
- Give us this day our daily bread
- Forgive us our trespasses
- Lead us not into temptation
- Deliver us from evil
These are self-focused petitions, addressing our immediate physical needs and spiritual struggles. Fr. Mike explains, “the last four... concern our battle for the victory of life, that battle of prayer” (12:30).

Deep Dive into Each Petition

1. Hallowed be Thy Name

Fr. Mike interprets this petition as a call to recognize and honor the holiness of God's name. It’s a declaration of God’s sanctity and a commitment to live in a way that reflects His holiness.

2. Thy Kingdom Come

This petition expresses the yearning for God’s reign to be established on earth as it is in heaven. It signifies the believer's hope and anticipation of God's ultimate rule and the fulfillment of His promises.

3. Thy Will be Done

Here, the focus is on submitting to God's divine will, both in the grand scheme of the world and in the minutiae of daily life. Fr. Mike emphasizes, “May your will be done in our lives, not just in this world, not just in our culture, but in this day, in this moment” (10:15).

4. Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread

This petition seeks provision for our physical needs. Fr. Mike relates it to trusting God for sustenance and acknowledges our dependence on Him for daily life.

5. Forgive Us Our Trespasses

Addressing the need for forgiveness, this petition underscores our reliance on God’s mercy to heal us from sin and restore our relationship with Him.

6. Lead Us Not into Temptation

Fr. Mike discusses this as a plea for guidance to avoid situations that may lead to sin, highlighting the importance of divine assistance in maintaining moral integrity.

7. Deliver Us from Evil

The final petition is a request for protection against all forms of evil. Fr. Mike connects this to the ongoing spiritual battle believers face, emphasizing reliance on God’s strength to overcome adversities.

Theological Insights and Reflections

Fr. Mike delves into the theological underpinnings of these petitions, referencing the Catechism's discussion on how they reflect our relationship with God and our spiritual journey. He highlights how the first three petitions set the foundation for a God-centered life, fostering faith, hope, and charity. The latter four petitions, on the other hand, address our human frailties and the constant need for God's grace.

A notable reflection by Fr. Mike:

"It's characteristic of love to think first of the One whom we love... The first things we petition for, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done... It reorients our hearts" (15:20).

Connecting to Sacred Tradition and Prayer

Fr. Mike draws parallels between the seven petitions and other forms of Catholic prayer, such as the Eucharistic Prayer and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. He underscores the unity of prayer in seeking both God’s glory and our personal needs, highlighting the holistic nature of Catholic spirituality.

He references the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, emphasizing:

“Through the name of His Christ and the reign of His Holy Spirit, our Father accomplishes his plan of salvation for us and for the whole world” (19:45).

Practical Application and Personal Reflection

Throughout the episode, Fr. Mike encourages listeners to internalize the petitions not just as recitations but as transformative elements of their prayer life. He urges believers to allow these petitions to reorient their hearts towards God’s primacy and to seek His guidance in daily endeavors.

Fr. Mike shares a personal anecdote:

“I have taught, I can't tell you how many times I have taught on the Our Father on the Lord's Prayer from the catechism... I don't know if I ever noticed the difference between the first three, the next two, and the final two” (18:30).

This reflection underscores the depth and richness of the Lord's Prayer, revealing new insights even to seasoned teachers.

Conclusion

In Day 359: The Seven Petitions, Fr. Mike Schmitz offers a profound exploration of the Lord's Prayer, unraveling its theological depth and practical implications. By dissecting each petition, he provides listeners with a deeper understanding of their faith and enhances their prayer experience. The episode serves as a powerful reminder of the centrality of God in our lives and the importance of unwavering trust in His divine plan.

Notable Quotes

“The first three highlight the primary characteristic of love, to think first of the One whom we love.” – Fr. Mike Schmitz (07:45)
“We pray in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” – Fr. Mike Schmitz (09:10)
“It is so much love in that.” – Fr. Mike Schmitz (11:05)
“Through the name of Jesus Christ and the reign of His Holy Spirit, our Father accomplishes his plan of salvation for us and for the whole world.” – Fr. Mike Schmitz (19:45)
“Our prayer must exclude no one.” – Fr. Mike Schmitz (20:50)

Key Takeaways

The seven petitions of the Lord's Prayer are divided into two groups: three for glorifying God and four addressing human needs and spiritual battles.
The structure of the prayer reflects the primary characteristic of love—prioritizing God above all else.
Each petition holds deep theological significance, guiding believers in their spiritual journey and daily lives.
Embracing these petitions transforms prayer from mere recitation to a profound communion with God.

Feel free to revisit this episode to deepen your understanding of the Lord's Prayer and enhance your prayer life through the insightful teachings of Fr. Mike Schmitz.

Timestamps:

07:45 – Introduction to the division of petitions
09:10 – Importance of praying in the Trinity
11:05 – Emphasis on love in the first three petitions
12:30 – Significance of the last four petitions
15:20 – Reflection on reorienting the heart
18:30 – Personal anecdote on teaching the Lord's Prayer
19:45 – Connection to the Chaplet of Divine Mercy
20:50 – Inclusive nature of prayer

Note: To delve deeper into the Catechism or to follow along with the reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy.

Transcript

A (0:00)

I'm Fr. Mark Mary Ames with the Franciscan Friars through the Renewal, my brothers and sisters at the service of becoming saints and falling in love with Jesus and Mary in the most Holy Rosary. The team here at Ascension Press have put together the Rosary in a Year podcast. Each day we're gonna have a 10 to 15 minute episode where we're just gonna work through the basics of the Rosary. Who is Jesus? How do we encounter Jesus? Who is Our Lady? What does it mean for us to be in relationship to her? We're going to go through the Hail Mary, the Our Father, each of the different Mysteries. Then we're going to bring in some saint writings on the Mysteries and some sacred art that speaks on the mysteries, and all of this to help enrich our prayer, to renew our prayer, to help us fall in love with Jesus and Mary and to fall in love with the Rosary again. If you want to join us on this journey, you can begin by going to ascensionpress.com rosary in a year to download the prayer plan and by listening and praying with us through the Rosary in a Year podcast. All right, look forward to the journey with you.

B (1:03)

Hi, my name is Father Mike Schmitz and you're listening to the Catechism in a Year podcast where we encounter God's plan of sheer goodness for us revealed in scripture passed down to the tradition of the Catholic faith. The Catechism in a Year is brought to you by ascension. In 365 days, we'll read through the Catechism of the Catholic Church, discovering our identity and God's family as we journey together toward our heavenly home. This is day 359, revelation. Reading paragraphs 2803 to 2806. As always, I'm using the Ascension edition of the Catechism, which includes the Foundations of Faith approach, but you can follow along with any recent version of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. You can also download your own Catechism in a Year Reading plan by visiting ascensionpress.com ciy and you can click follow or subscribe in your podcast app for daily updates. In daily notifications, today's 3:59 NAS A work people, we're reading paragraph 2803, 2806. We're going on to the next next article, essentially the seven petitions. So we recognize that here in the Lord's Prayer, in the Our Father, at first we say Our Father who art in heaven. And then we have these three petitions that are directed carry us towards him. That's what it says in 2804. They're for his own sake. We say, hallowed be thy name, Thy kingdom come, thy will be done. So there's that sense of this first of these seven petitions. The first three are for his own sake, God made May your name be hallowed. May thy kingdom come, Thy will be done. But the second series of petitions, the last four, we're praying for ourselves in many ways. We're saying, give us this day our daily bread, forgive us our trespasses, lead us not into temptation, deliver us from evil. And there's something beautiful about this that says there in 2805, it says, the fourth and fifth petitions concern our life as such to be fed and healed of sin. And the last two concern our battle for the victory of life, that battle of prayer, which I think is amazing. So the first two, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, those that have to do with our life as such, to be fed and healed of sin. And the last two, lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, concern our battle for the victory of life, that battle of prayer so great. So as we launch into these seven petitions, we're just going to talk. We have four paragraphs, quick, before we even actually look at Hallowed be Thy name. We're just going to look at the structure a little bit here from paragraph 2803 to 2806. So as we look at structure, we also know that the most important thing is, is not the information that we know, the data that we have. The most important thing is to be able to enter into communion, enter into prayer, relationship with our Father. And so we pray in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Father in heaven, Our Father who art in heaven, we give you praise. Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done. Lord God, may you be glorified. May your name be hallowed, known to be holy, praised and revered, loved and adored. May your kingdom come. Let your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven and Father, may your will be done. May your will be done in our lives, not just in this world, not just in our culture, but in this day, in this moment. May your will be done with his next, next breath, with this next minute, with his next 15 minutes. Lord, may your will be done always. Thy will be done always. We make this prayer in the name of the one who gave us this prayer, our Lord Jesus Christ. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. We reading paragraphs 2803 to 2806 article 3 the seven petitions after we have placed ourselves in the presence of God our Father, to adore and to love and to bless him, the spirit of adoption stirs up in our hearts. Seven petitions, seven blessings. The first three more theologal, draw us toward the glory of the Father. The last four, as ways toward him, commend our wretchedness to his grace. Deep calls to deep. The first series of petitions carries us toward him for his own sake. Thy name, Thy kingdom, Thy will. It is characteristic of love to think first of the One whom we love. In none of the three petitions do we mention ourselves. The burning desire, even anguish of the Beloved Son for His Father's glory seizes us. Hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done. These three supplications were already answered in the saving sacrifice of Christ, but they are henceforth directed in hope toward their final fulfillment. For God is not yet all in all. The second series of petitions unfolds with the same movement as certain eucharistic epicles as an offering up of our expectations that draws down upon itself the eyes of the Father of mercies. They go up from us and concern us from this very moment in our present world. Give us, forgive us, lead us not, deliver us. The fourth and fifth petitions concern our life as to be fed and to be healed of sin. The last two concern our battle for the victory of life, that battle of prayer. By the first three petitions we are strengthened in faith, filled with hope, and set aflame by charity. Being creatures and still sinners, we have to petition for us for that us bound by the world and history which we offer to the boundless love of God. For through the name of His Christ and the reign of His Holy Spirit, our Father accomplishes his plan of salvation for us and for the whole world. There we have it. Paragraphs 2803 to 2806. This is. I know, okay, I'm a broken record. I'm a. I'm a broken record. Beautiful. Just incredible. I love. You know, I said yesterday, I think it was yesterday that one of the paragraphs kind of took me by surprise. It was the paragraph that talked about the basically gave a gospel presentation in paragraph 2795 about how God is so good. His home is in heaven. We're made for that home. And yet sin exiles us. This whole thing and Jesus Christ reconciled heaven and earth, and we get to have conversion of heart and say yes to him and get back to our heavenly home. Amazing. Beautiful. Today I'm kind of taken by surprise as well. I have taught, I can't tell you how many times I have taught on the Our Father on the Lord's Prayer from the catechism. And yet I think this might be the first time where I've, I mean, again, I've talked, I've literally taught on the seven petitions, right? And yet I don't know if I ever noticed the difference between the first three, the next two, and the final two. And I just, I was like, yeah, the first three are for God to be glorified. Yeah. Hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done. And then the last four. Yeah, of course we're praying for what we need in this day and every day. But to really, truly focus on the fact that those first three highlight the primary characteristic of love, to think first of the one whom we love. I'm just a selfish and self centered prayer, right, where I'm praying. Yeah, Our Father who art in heaven. And we'll get to the stuff where I start asking for myself, here's what I need. But no, even as a self centered person, Jesus says, yeah, it's. I want you to learn how to love first the Lord first love the Father, first, love God himself. And so the first things we petition for, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, and just it reorients our hearts. And that's it. So it seems characteristic of the teachings of Jesus, right, that this reorientation of our hearts happens even if we don't even know it. He puts into our mouths these words that reveal first things first. And the first thing here is the One whom we love, that His Name is hallowed, that his kingdom comes, that his will is done. Why did I not notice that? It's so much love. It is so much love in that. But also those last four, right, the second set of petitions, how they're divided into two. I know I already said this in the introduction here, but paragraph 2805 highlights this. The fourth and fifth petitions, right? Give us this day our daily bread, forgive us our trespasses, concern our life as such, to be fed and to be healed of sin. The last two, lead us not into temptation, deliver us from evil, concern our battle for the victory of life, that battle of prayer. And there's something remarkable about this, that it keeps us right before our eyes. The fact that, yep, we have to do today's business. Like today, we need God here right now, right here, here he is. We need him immediately. And also raises Our eyes to the ultimate end. And the ultimate end is God. There's a battle. There is a battle that we are all in. And so please lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil. So important that we keep all of these things in the forefront of our minds first, God, you're first. You are number one, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done. I want to think of you first because you're the one whom I love more than me. Hopefully, God, and this is all of us. Hopefully we love God more than we love ourselves. Hopefully we love God more than we love anything that doesn't automatically happen. So when we pray the Lord's Prayer, when we pray the Our Father, one of the things we're asking is change my heart, Change my heart so that I can pray first of all for you and your own sake. It's amazing. Love you, God. And then also help me to do the tasks of today. Be with me in the tasks of today that give us this day our daily bread, forgive us our trespasses. And also help me to keep my eyes fixed on the goal. Help me keep my eyes fixed on the fact that you have, like we said yesterday, God, you have made us for a heavenly homeland. You have prepared a place for us to dwell with you for eternity. And help us always to say yes to that by leading us not into temptation and delivering us from evil. It's just so powerful and so incredible. The last line of paragraph 2806. For through the name of His Christ and the reign of His Holy Spirit, our Father accomplishes his plan of salvation for us and for the whole world. Amazing that through the name of Jesus Christ and the reign of His Holy Spirit, our Father accomplishes his plan of salvation for us and for the whole world. It just seems like so powerful. One of the great ways. I know we're talking our Father right now, but one of the great prayers that has been given to us in our patrimony, right, Our inheritance is called the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. And there is something that just leaps off the page today. It's one of the parts. It's a part of the prayer of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. So Jesus had revealed to Saint Faustina, a Polish nun. He revealed to her of his divine mercy. He revealed to her the depth of his heart, longing for our trust and longing to bring this what he did for us on Calvary, what He poured out His Holy Spirit and Pentecost to the whole world. And so we pray this in the Chaplet we say, for the sake of his sorrowful passion have mercy on us and on the whole world. That prayer for the sake of his sorrowful passion have mercy on us and on the whole world. And that's amazing. Through the name of Jesus Christ, the reign of His Holy Spirit our Father accomplishes his plan of salvation for us and for the whole world. For the sake of his sorrowful passion have mercy on us and on the whole world. Remember we said this the other day that God's love excludes no one. And so our prayer must exclude no one. So good. And so I gotta tell you, it's true. If God's love excludes no one and therefore our prayer has to exclude no one. Guess what? I'm praying for you. And please pray for each other. And pray for me. My name is Father Mike. I cannot wait to see you tomorrow. God bless Ra.