Prayer According to The Oxford Dictionary of Current English, prayer is “ a request or thanksgiving to God. ” More simply, it is the communication between ourselves and God, which strengthens our ties to God and to our faith

Importance of Prayer... Helps us to nurture our relationship with God Helps us to connect with ourselves Prayer requires us to trust strongly in God Prayer requires a calm mind in order to connect with God

Importance of Prayer… Prayer shapes who we are It helps create community when we pray communally (in Church, in family) Prayer brings us comfort in knowing God is with us, despite the difficulties that are present 3

Why Pray?

5 Some reasons why people pray... –To worship –To ask for guidance –Confess sins –Conversation with God 4

Five Forms of Prayer

Adoration and Blessing A prayer where we acknowledge that God is great and confirm that we need to depend on him for all things. Example: “ Glory to God ”

Petition Prayers where we ask God for help in providing that which we need. Important to remember that we must accept God ’ s will when asking for certain things. Example: “ Our Father ”

Intercession Praying for others Usually used in times where healing, guidance and perhaps even a miracle is needed Example: Jesus prays for his disciples in John 17: 6-26

Praise Prayer to honour God Joyfully acknowledge all that God has created and to give thanks. Example: Psalm 146

Thanksgiving A prayer thanking God for all that we have been blessed with. Example: Grace Before Meals

12 When to Pray Anytime –you want to acknowledge the greatness of God –you need to ask for help –you want to pray for others –you need healing, guidance and even a miracle –you feel grateful –you feel the need or desire to

13 Where to pray Anywhere –Can be individual or communal –Can be public or private

The Lord’s Prayer 14

Prayer and 3 rd Commandment “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain” The commandment forbids us to pronounce the holy name of God without reverence. When we pray, we honour God and swear an oath, honouring God. Swearing and using God’s name is harmful and dishonours God. When we pray, we use God’s name in honour and praise 15

The Rosary Many religions use a rosary – such as: Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity In the Roman Catholic Faith, the rosary consists of a string of beads, made in the form of a circle, with a pendant crucifix. The standard rosary consists of 5 sets of beads called decades, each composed of one large and ten smaller beads 16

Praying the Rosary For the common person, the rosary became a way of praying and connecting to God when people could not read Prayer is repetitive to help people learn it and remember 17

Types of Prayers Rosary Meditation Shrine Adoration of Saints Songs/Chants Petition Silence Reflections & Journals 18

Lets Pray Together… 19