Prayer

Prayer and Us Gen 1:26 – we are made in the likeness of God – So we have a special bond with Him He has placed in us a desire for union with Himself We all have a calling from God Prayer is our response to that call

Prayer and the Bible God is continually calling to humanity Sometimes we respond in faith, sometimes we resist Example of Moses We are often like Moses We resist, we have excuses Why? Afraid, it might be difficult, don’t want to give up present life…

Prayer as a relationship Does God answer our prayers? How do we know? How does a relationship work? Does it take two people putting in an equal effort We are called to believe even if we have doubts Why do our prayers sometimes seem to be unanswered? When do we talk to God?

Jesus prays When does Jesus pray in the NT? Before he begins his public ministry, before calling the 12, he prays that Peter might not be tempted, Before raising Lazarus from the dead In garden of Gethsemane He prays while on the cross

Jesus and prayer Asks that we pray for a spirit of metanoia – change of heart That we might bend our will to comply with God’s Requires an effort on our part What does each of the following say about prayer: Luke 11:5-13 Luke 18:1-8 Luke 18: 9-14

Expressions of prayer Vocal – conversation with God Usually the first way we learn to pray Important to our communal prayer Meditation – silent prayer, trying to understand God’s work and will in our lives –examples: lectio divina, Rosary Contemplation: prayer of listening; the most difficult ;Eucharistic Adoration

Forms of prayer Forms of prayer: Adoration: worship of God’s greatness Thanksgiving: prayer of gratitude Contrition: sorrow for sins Petition: asking for what we need

The Rhythm of prayer We need to pray throughout the day; in good times and bad We have fixed times and seasons in our prayer life Liturgy of the Hours/ Divine office http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liturgy_of_the_Hours , morning/evening prayer, Angelus (http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/prayers/Angelus.htm