Prayer: Definition, Forms & FAQs - PDF

PRAYER CONCA, Sebastiano Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane 1746 Oil on canvas, 64 x 47 cm Pinacoteca, Vatican  What is prayer? The raising of the heart and mind to God Dialogue of love with God Je...

PRAYER CONCA, Sebastiano Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane 1746 Oil on canvas, 64 x 47 cm Pinacoteca, Vatican  What is prayer? The raising of the heart and mind to God Dialogue of love with God Jesus and prayer: he prays in the key moments and also very frequently For a Christian, prayer is as necessary as breathing  Content of prayer Adoration Petition Thanksgiving To honour For pardon Because and praise For graces everything God and to Intercession good we proclaim for others have his majesty received from God  Ways or forms of prayer There are as many forms of prayer as there are people on earth. All the forms have one basic trait: composure of heart. Vocal Meditative Contemplative Set words Apply mind Beyond words 1st step for many to a topic or Gaze of love Includes an idea Uses intellect, liturgical prayer More will and Mens concordet discursive feelings voci and reflective Consider who, whom, what  Conditions for prayer Recollection Humility Perseverance Filial Simplicity Trinitarian (as children) Acceptance of Trust God’s will  What Theis the “OurOur Father? Father” Who art in Hallowed be Thy Our Father heaven name Thy will be done Give us this day Thy kingdom come on earth as it is our daily bread in heaven Forgive us our trespasses as we Lead us not into But deliver us forgive those who temptation from evil trespass against us What Theis the “OurOur Father? Father”  FAQs on prayer 1. Why pray if God already knows what I need? 2. What to do before difficulties in prayer? 3. Why are some prayers not answered? 4. How does God speak to man in prayer?  FAQs on prayer 1. Why pray if God already knows what I need? – The content of prayer is not just limited to petition. It includes adoration and thanksgiving – Above all, prayer is about building a relationship with Another, who is God  FAQs on prayer 2. What to do before difficulties in prayer? Waste of time Distractions (reveal what one is attached to.) Dryness (can be a trial that God permits for a while) Lack of faith All these difficulties call for humble vigilance of heart. To persevere for love’s sake.  FAQs on prayer 3. Why are some prayers not answered? – This only applies to prayer of petition – Prayer should be centred on the Giver, not the gift – However, prayer may not be answered because It is not good for us We live wrongly (one needs to change lifestyle) We ask wrongly (with little faith)  FAQs on prayer 4. How does God speak to man in prayer? Prayer is a dialogue. Before we go to pray, God already speaks to us, He speaks through the circumstances of our day, advice received, comment from a friend, things that struck one from a text in the Bible, a sermon, something you read in a book, an interior motion in one’s heart or mind. Praying is learning to listen to God talk It requires recollection of heart (interior silence). Pray by Sam Smith