1. Prayer

2. 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

3. 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…

4. 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?

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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
, morning/evening prayer, Angelus (