Whether prayer is expressed in words of gestures, it is the whole man who prays, But in naming the sourece of prayer, Scriptures speaks sometimes of the soul or the spirit, but most often of the heart ( more than a thousand times). According to Scripture, it is the heart that prays. If our heart is far from God, the words of our prayers are in vain. As God gradually reveals himself and reveals man to himself, prayers appears as a reciprocal call, a covenant drama. Through words and actions, this "drama" engages the heart. [ See CCC 2562, 2567 ]
Let us not try to fit prayer into our day. Rather, let us fit our day around prayer. Let us give priority to prayer, and our day will be different when it begins with prayer. And gradually we will learn that the Holy Spirit prays through us...." with groans that words cannot express."
Saturday, March 27, 2021
Monday, October 19, 2020
How is prayer revealed in the Old Testament?
The prayer Abraham and Jacob is presented as a battle of faith marked by trust in God's faithfulness and by certitude in the victory promised to perseverance. The prayer of Moses responds to the living God's initiative for the salvation of his people. It foreshadows the prayer of intercession of the unique mediator, Jesus Christ. The prayer of the People of God flourished in the shadow of the dwelling place of God' presence on earth, the ark of the covenant and the temple, under the guidance of their shepherds, especially King David, and the prophets. The prophets summoned the people to conversion of heart and, while zealously seeking the face of God, like Elijah, they interceded for the people. The Psalms constitute the masterwork of prayer in the Old Testament, They present two inseparable qualities: the personal and the communal. They extend to all dimensions of history, recalling God's promises already fulfilled and looking for the coming of the Messiah. Prayed and fulfilled in Christ, the Psalms are an essential and permanent element of the prayer of the Church. They are suitable for men of every condition and time. [ See CCC 2592-2597]
Thursday, July 23, 2020
How is prayer revealed in the New Testament?
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
What are the essential forms of prayer?
Thursday, April 16, 2020
What is the importance of Tradition in regard to prayer?
The sources of prayer are:
1) The Word of God which gives us "the surpassing knowledge" of Christ (Philippians 3:8); Prayer should accompany the reading of Sacred Scripture,so that a dialogue takes place between God and man. For we speak to him when we pray; we listen to him when we read Sacred Scripture.
2) The Liturgy of the Church that proclaims, makes present and communicates the mystery of salvation which is continued in the heart that prays. Even when it is lived out in secret, prayer is always prayer of the Church; it is a Communion with the Holy Trinity.
3) The theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity by which we seek to know, love and serve God.
4) Everyday situations because in them we can encounter God. ( See CCC 2650-2662)
Monday, March 16, 2020
What are the different types of Catholic prayers?
A novena is a series of prayers that are said for nine straight days.
The novena to the Holy Spirit is a novena of the Church to prepare for the feast of Pentecost.
Novenas are also said in invocation to the saints and the Blessed Virgin Mary to commemorate her different feasts. A litanyis a special prayer, usually intended to be recited in a group, with a Priest or other leader reciting the verses,while the faithful respond, such as the Litany to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Litanies may be recited as part of one's private devotion.
Chaplets are forms of prayer which use prayer beads, such as the Divine Mercy Consecration prayers are prayers of dedication or submission,such as Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Invocations take the form of an ejaculation or an aspiration,a short prayer meant to be repeated throughout the day,such as,"Blessed be the name of Jesus"and "Jesus, have mercy on me a sinner!"Indulgence prayers assist us in overcoming temptation, and they allow us to gain indulgences either for ourselves or for the poor souls in purgatory.
They also allow us to make acts of reputation for those who offered God, to pray for the conversion of many souls, and to help us remember we are to sacrifice for sinners.
The Liturgy of the Hours (known as the Divine Office) is the richest single prayer resource of the Church.It provides prayers,Psalms and meditation for every hour of every day. It has existed from the earliest times, to fulfill the Lord's command to pray without ceasing.
Hymns are prayers or Psalms that are sung.St. Augustine said: "He who sings prays twice."
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Why do we have to learn prayers? Why can't we say our spontaneous prayers?
What is the way of prayer?
Prayer is primarily addressed to the Father. Prayer is directed to God our Father but reaches only when we pray - at least implicitly- in the name of Jesus. Our prayer is efficacious when it is united in faith with the prayer of Jesus. Jesus said, "If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it" (Jn 14: 14). Jesus is the one and only mediator between God and men. His humanity is in effect the only way by which the Holy Spirit teaches us to pray to our Father. Therefore liturgical prayers conclude with the formula: "Through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Prayer can also be directed toward Jesus, particularly by the invocation of his Holy Name: "Lord Jesus Christ,Son of God,have mercy on us sinners." By this prayer the heart opens up human wretchedness to the Saviour's mercy. Jesus always prays for us.All our petitions were gathered up, once for all,in his cry on the Cross and, in his Resurrection, heard by the Father. This is why he never ceases to intercede for us with the Father. If our prayer is resolutely united with that of Jesus, in trust and boldness as children, we obtain all that we ask in his name, even more than any particular thing: the Holy Spirit himself, who contains all gifts.
"No one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit" (1Cor 12:3). The Church invites us to invoke the Holy Spirit as the interior Teacher of Christian prayer. Since he teaches us to pray by recalling Christ, how could we not pray to the Spirit too? That is why the Church invites us to call the Holy Spirit every day, especially at the beginning and at the end of every action. The simplest and most direct prayer is the traditional,"Come Holy Spirit!" It is in the communion of the Holy Spirit that Christian prayer is prayer to the Church.
Mary,Jesus'mother and ours "shows the way", and is herself "the sign" of the way of prayer. Because of Mary's singular cooperation with the action of the Holy Spirit. the Church loves to entrust her supplications to the Virgin Mary and pray in communion with her. The Church also joins her prayers with those of all the saints who have been pleasing to the Lord because they willed his will alone. [See CCC 2663- 2682]