2.  Prayer is a dialogue with God.  It is the way we develop, deepen, and sustain our relationship with Him.  Christ is the model of Christian prayer. › Teaches us how to pray › Reminds us of the important “interior dispositions” needed to pray well  “Not my will, but yours”

3.  Prayer is difficult, but possible with perseverance and the help of the Holy Spirit

4.  Prayer has a PURPOSE!!!! (4 actually) › P etition: we request something from God › A doration: we praise God for his greatness › C ontrition: the expression of sorrow for our sins › T hanksgiving: express gratitude for God’s gifts

5.  There are THREE › Vocal Prayer: use our bodies to express the interior prayer of our hearts › Meditation: the active consideration of what God has revealed to us; allows God to speak to us › Contemplation: the richest form of meditation; seeks union with Christ and is practiced w/ self-denial and mortification

6.  The Mass is truly the greatest prayer  The purposes of the Mass are: › To give honor and glory to God › To build up the faith of the people › To instruct them › To respond with faith and love to God’s blessings › To exercise the priestly office of Christ

7.  “LITURGY” comes from Greek for “work of the people” › The Worship of God by the People of God  Our worship of God involves body and soul, therefore liturgical celebrations involve signs, symbols, and gestures: › Sign of the Cross, Striking one’s breast, Anointing, Ashes, Laying on of Hands, Standing, Kneeling, Genuflecting, Bowing, Processions  There is a special Liturgical Calendar that we will discuss a little later on.

8.  Christian piety has developed many popular forms of prayer and devotion to help the faithful live the faith and pray continually  Examples: The Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office), The Rosary, Lectio Divina, Novenas, Stations of the Cross, Divine Mercy Chaplet, The Angelus, Morning Offering, Grace Before/After Meals, Prayer at Night

9.  These are holy objects, celebrations or acts of piety › They direct our minds and hearts to God › They enhance prayer › They make us more receptive to grace  Some of the devotions we just talked about are considered sacramentals

10.  Other examples: › A crucifix › Holy Water › The Sign of the Cross › Gestures of respect (bowing, genuflecting, etc.) › Ashes

11.  Other examples: › Statues, Icons, Holy Images › Relics of Saints › Religious Medals › The Scapular › Pilgrimages

12.  Mortification, or self-denial, is indispensable to helping us avoid sin and grow in virtue  Literally means “dying to the flesh”  Helps us seek holiness  Subdue the body to strengthen the soul  Think Lenten fasting and abstinence, or the fast before Communion.