Understanding Prayer: Types, Difficulties and Passages

• Prayer is difficult due to distractions, wandering thoughts and a sense of spiritual dryness or desolation
• Acedia (spiritual sloth), time management and doubt about efficacy can also hinder prayer

Types of Prayer

• Adoration means acknowledging God's greatness, such as saying, "Holy, holy, holy Lord God almighty."
• Contrition involves expressing sorrow for sin, such as, "Have mercy on me, O God."
• Thanksgiving is showing gratitude for blessings, like saying, "I thank you Lord for your goodness."
• Supplication is asking for divine help, such as, "Lord, help me in my need."
• Petition refers to requesting specific needs, like asking to "Please heal my friend."

Scriptural Passages on Prayer

• Psalm 22:1 expresses a cry of abandonment: "My God, why have you forsaken me?"
• Philippians 3:8 speaks of knowing Christ as surpassing all else.
• Revelation 1:1-3 describes blessings for those who hear God's word.
• 1 Timothy 2:1-2 encourages prayer for all people, including leaders.
• John 4:14 refers to living water that satisfies eternally.
• Colossians 4:2 advises remaining steadfast in prayer with thanksgiving.
• Romans 15:3 notes that Christ did not please Himself but endured reproach.
• Philippians 1:3-4 is Paul's joyful prayer for the Philippians.
• Colossians 4:3-4 requests prayer for ministry opportunities.
• Luke 1:42 contains Elizabeth's blessing of Mary: "Blessed are you among women."

Expressions of Prayer

• Vocal prayer involves external expression using words, spoken aloud or silently
• Vocal players include the use of Our Father, Hail Mary, formal prayers, and spontaneous prayer, and engages both mind and body in worship
• Meditative prayer means active reflection on Scripture, divine truths, or mysteries
• Meditative prayer uses imagination, emotion, thought, and desire, and seeks understanding and application
• Contemplative prayer often uses sacred texts or religious images as starting points
• Contemplative prayer is a silent "gaze of love" toward God, characterized by receptivity and listening
• Contemplative prayer focuses on God's presence rather than thoughts/images and represents simple attention to God beyond concepts or words
• Liturgical prayer is the Church's official public worship, following prescribed forms and traditions
• Liturgical prayer is communal in nature and the Body of Christ prays together
• Liturgical prayer centers on sacraments, especially the Eucharist, and follows the liturgical calendar and seasons

The Holy Eucharist

• The Holy Eucharist is the sacrament of Christ's body and blood, and is the source and summit of Christian life where Christ is truly present

Intercessors in Prayer

• Mary (Mother of Jesus), Saints, Angels, Holy souls, and Jesus Christ can be intercessors in prayer
• Intercessors are close to God and can join their prayers with ours

Highest Form of Prayer

• Mass/Eucharistic celebration is the highest form of prayer

Theological Virtues

• Faith is the belief in God and His revelation.
• Hope is the trust in God's promises and desire for heaven.
• Charity/Love is the love of God and neighbor for God's sake.

Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-46)

• In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prays intensely with disciples nearby and sweats blood in spiritual agony
• Jesus asks for the cup of suffering to pass if possible, and surrenders to Father's will
• The disciples fall asleep despite Jesus' request to pray, but an angel strengthens Him for coming trials

Trial before Pilate (John 18:33-38)

• Jesus stands before the Roman governor after a Jewish trial
• He is questioned about being "King of the Jews" and declares His kingdom "not of this world."
• Jesus bears witness to the truth as His mission and Pilate finds no basis for charges
• Jesus shows divine composure amid human injustice

Way to the Cross (Luke 23:26-31)

• Jesus carries His cross through the streets of Jerusalem
• Simon of Cyrene helps bear the cross
• Women of Jerusalem weep for Him, but Jesus turns His attention to their suffering
• Jesus prophesies coming judgment on Jerusalem and continues His ministry despite exhaustion and pain

Crucifixion (Luke 23:33-43)

• Jesus is nailed to the cross between two criminals and prays "Father, forgive them."
• He is mocked by leaders, soldiers, and one criminal, but promises paradise to a repentant thief.
• Jesus experiences abandonment yet maintains faith and commends His spirit to the Father.

Resurrection (Luke 24:1-8)

• Women find the empty tomb at dawn, the stone rolled away, and the body missing
• Angels appear announcing the resurrection and remind them of Jesus' prophecy to rise on the third day
• The resurrection transforms grief to astonishment and initiates a new era of salvation history