prayer

types of prayer

* Prayer can be vocal ,meditative or contemplative (communion).


* Prayers can be formulaic or extempore
* Adoration: Prayers are said to praise and adore God’s greatness.
* Confession: Prayers are said to confess sins and ask for forgiveness.
* Thanksgiving: Prayers are said to thank God.
* Supplication: Prayers are said to ask God for help for either yourself (petition) or others (intercession).

importance of prayer

* Prayers of adoration help put things into perspective through focusing on God.
* Prayers of thanksgiving help Catholics to be grateful for the things they have and not to be selfish or take things for granted.
* Prayers of confession stop Catholics feeling guilty and help them to move forwards.
* Prayers of supplication bring hope and comfort for Catholics and those they pray for.
* Extempore prayers enable Catholics to build a personal relationship with God.
* Formulaic prayers when said during public worship build a sense of community and belonging among believers.

variety of worship

* Worship at home is needed for Catholics to worship God as a family.
* Private worship is needed for Catholics to build strong personal relationships with God.
* Public worship is needed to strengthen the Body of Christ / the Church community.

SOWAS for prayer

* The Catechism describes prayer as “the raising of one’s heart and mind to God or the requesting of good things from God”.
* Jesus taught the greatest commandment is to “love the Lord your God” and one way Catholics can do this is through prayer (Mark’s Gospel).