Lesson 2: Christian Prayer

Solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God or another deity”

prayer

develops a conscious awareness of our relationship with God

prayer

this relationship depends on “WHO GOD IS & WHO WE ARE”.

prayer

God created man in his image and likeness;

man is in search of God

after losing through his sin/his likeness to God, man remains an image of his Creator, and retains the desire for the one who calls him into existence.

man is in search of God

All religions bear witness to men’s essential search for God.”

man is in search of God

As God gradually reveals Himself and reveals man to himself, prayer appears as a reciprocal call ;

god calls man first

Since God is the author of life, he always has the authority over all His creation

god calls man first

prayer unfolds throughout the whole history of salvation.

god calls man first

characterized by adoration, thanksgiving, contrition, petition

christian prayer

A prayer “ rooted in the heart , and related to the neighbor in loving compassion and service”.

christian prayer

“ directly addressed to God , our creator and Lord, while involving an intrinsic relation to one’s neighbor”.

christian prayer

Most elementary religious act.

prayer

The acceptance of the prime fact of being created by, dependent on, and destined to God .

prayer

An act founded upon faith that God is present in the world and is attentive to our needs and acts on our behalf

prayer

A response to God’s personal presence

prayer

means that the whole person is set in motion towards God in acts of praise, devotion, hope, and love.

elevation of the soul

types of prayer

glorification of God and needs of man

Praising God for who He is and acknowledging His attributes

adoration

Acknowledgement of God’s wonderful deeds in our life according to his great plan for us.

praise

Expressing gratitude for God’s goodnes

thanksgiving

Acknowledgement of one’s sins with a contrite heart and repentance for sins to appease

confession and propitiation

Supplication of one’s intentions, needs , for the good of oneself

petition or supplication

Prayer on behalf of someone/others

intercession

It is the encounter of the heart with God and dwelling of the soul with Him

interior

It expresses itself in the external words and rites .

exterior

They must be mutually complimentary for each person is both individual and social being

individual and communal prayer

Spontaneous expression of the mind’s thoughts and the heart’s affection

informal

It refers to the rich treasure of religious experiences and insights of the past generations

formal

It is a formal prayer destined for worship in common, as in the celebration of sacraments .

liturgical

Prayers are those prayers outside of liturgy

extra-liturgical