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In the 6th chapter of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray, introducing what today we call the “Our Father,” or the “Lord’s Prayer.” But Jesus imparts this prayer in the context of various instructions on the many ways we shouldn’t pray. Don’t pray in public for everyone to see. Don’t put on a gloomy face. Then, in the following chapter, he says: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.”
So Christians should pray. But Christians should also, it seems, be wary about praying the wrong way. This opens up intriguing questions about what it means to pray, whether there are things we should or shouldn’t pray for, and what it means for a prayer to be answered.
On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talk with award-winning writer Laura Kelly Fanucci about the point of prayer.
Fanucci is the author of a number of books, most recently Living Easter: 50 Days to Practice Resurrection Joy (Liturgical Press, 2026). She has written for U.S. Catholic as well as OSV News Service, America Magazine, and on two popular substacks. Her work has also been featured on the Hallow and Ritual apps, and in popular outlets including NPR’s Morning Edition, On Being, and The Kelly Clarkson Show.
You can learn more about this topic, and read some of Fanucci’s work, in these links:
- Living Easter: 50 Days to Practice Resurrection, by Laura Kelly Fanucci
- The Holy Labor: Original essays on theology & spirituality from Laura Kelly Fanucci
- “Should you request prayers on social media?” by Teresa Coda
- “Can prayer heal?” by Teresa Coda
- “Prayer must lead to practical solutions,” by Shireen Korkzan
- “Pope Leo says God rejects prayers of leaders who wage wars,” by Joshua McElwee
This episode is sponsored by Catholic Relief Services. Prayer connects us to God and to one another, and CRS puts that connection into action by serving people facing hunger, violence and displacement worldwide. Through shared prayers and humanitarian response, CRS invites you to live out your faith through service to others. Learn more about CRS’ work at crs.org.
