Prayer

For me, prayer is a surge of

the heart; it is a simple look
turned toward heaven, it is a
cry of recognition and of
love, embracing both trial
and joy.
 Prayer
• Gift
• Covenant
• Communion
 Prayer in the Old Testament
• Abraham
• Moses
• David
• Elijah
• Psalms
 Prayer in the New Testament
• Jesus Prays
– Before important points in his mission
• Baptism
• Transfiguration
• Passion
– At important points in the mission of the Apostles
• Election and call of the Twelve
• Before Peter’s Confession of Jesus as Christ
• That the faith of the Apostles not be tempted
– Matthew 11:25-Prayer of Thanksgiving
– Raising of Lazarus-Begins with Thanksgiving
 Parables on Prayer
• Insistent Friend (Luke 11:5-13)
• Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8)
• Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14)
 Forms of Prayer
• Blessing and Adoration CCC2626
• Prayer of Petition
• Prayer of Intercession
• Prayer of Thanksgiving
• Prayer of Praise
 Tradition of Prayer
• The Word of God (Scripture)
• Liturgy of the Church
• Theological Virtues
– Faith
– Hope
– Love
• Prayer to the Father (in the name of Jesus)
• Prayer to Jesus CCC2665
• Prayer to the Holy Spirit
• In communion with Mary
– Fiat “Yes”
– Magnificat
– Ave Maria (Hail Mary)
 Guides for Prayer
• Cloud of witnesses/Communion of Saints
• Servants of prayer
– Religious
– Ministers
– Families
– Prayer groups
• Places of prayer
– Church
– Prayer corner
– Pilgrimages
– Monastery
Prayer is the life of
the new heart. It
ought to animate us
at every moment.
-CCC 2697
 Expressions of Prayer
• Vocal Prayer
• Mediation
– Lectio Divina
– Rosary
• Contemplative Prayer (CCC 2713)
– A gaze of faith, fixed on Jesus. “I look at him and
he looks at me.” (St. John Vianney)
 Prayer Takes Work

“Every one of us needs

half an hour of prayer a
day, except when we
are busy – then we
need an hour.”
-St. Frances de Sales
 Humble Vigilance of Heart
• Difficulties in prayer
– Distraction
– Dryness
• Temptations in prayer
– Lack of faith
– Acedia (depression due to lax practice, decreasing
vigilance, carelessness of heart.)
 Persevere in Love
• Continue to pray
– It is always possible to pray
– Prayer is a vital necessity
– Prayer and Christian life are inseparable
 Our Father
• The Lord’s Prayer
• The perfect prayer
• Matthew 6:5-15