1.1 - PRAYER DEFINITION, TYPES AND IMPORTANCE

• Prayer - In the Catholic church it is the "raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God".
• God long's to give us his "Unconditional Love"
• God's Unconditional love - always available, freely offered, and life-giving
• Vocal Prayer - Prayer made using approved form of words, read, sung, or recited.
• Examples of Vocal Prayer

  • Sign of the Cross
  • Liturgy of the Hours
  • Angelus
  • Grace before and after meals
• Mental Prayer - Also called "Meditation"
• Mental prayer - is a form of silent prayer that is the next level of vocal prayer.
• Forms of prayer

  • Adoration
  • Contrition
  • Thanksgiving
  • Supplication
• Adoration - First attitude of man acknowledging that he is a creature before God.
• Praise - The form of prayer which recognizes most that God is God.
• Repentance - Sincere regret or remorse for sin, resolution to avoid sin in the future and the conversion of heart toward God.
• Contrition - Sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed, together with the resolution to not sin again.
• Thankfulness - is thanking God for what he is given and done
• Supplication - A Prayer of petition that request God to fulfill a need.
• The Importance of Prayer

  • Prayer is a way to connect with God
  • Prayer has the power to serve as a source of support and encouragement in difficult times.
  • Prayer helps you make better decisions
  • If you want your prayers to be answered, pray daily and sincerely
  • Prayer does the impossible
  • Praying to God helps us to grow closer to God