Prayer

Bringing Prayer Into Your Life

Everyone is called to live a “vital and personal relationship with the living and true God. This relationship is prayer.” Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2558

We can pray alone or with others; we worship together as parish communities at Mass and pray as families. There are many types of prayer and many different styles of worship, but all center on living and experiencing our relationship with the living God.

Four basic elements:

1. Blessing and Adoration (praising God)
2. Prayer of Petition (asking for what we need, including forgiveness)
3. Prayer of Intercession (asking for what others need)
4. Prayer of Thanksgiving (for what God has given and done)

Tips for praying:

1. Find a quiet place and time
2. Calm yourself and put away distractions
3. Speak what you feel to God, or use set prayers
4. Take time to listen
5. Use the Bible in your prayer
6. Consider keeping a prayer journal
7. Pray daily

Prayer online: Daily readings and online reflections (text, audio and video) from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops