Thomas Aquinas: His Theology and Spirituality of Prayer as Reflected in His Commentaries on the Lord’s Prayer

Abstract

ABSTRACT Thomas Aquinas is known for his theology and philosophy, but not often recognized for his spirituality. This can be seen by considering his commentary on the Lord’s Prayer, which Thomas exposited in a series of homilies. In his commentary, Thomas shows how this is the ‘most perfect prayer’ for all Christians to follow, because it covers all five conditions of true Christian prayer: confidence, rectitude, order, devotion, and humility. This essay examines these conditions and Thomas’s exposition of the Lord’s Prayer generally, walking through all seven petitions. This series of theological sermons serves as a model for Christian preachers today in how to conjoin careful theology with deep spirituality.