So many things to say and so many people to talk to that we often forget to tell him. The man upstairs gets left out and we just forget to tell him. God knows you are trying and does not expect us to be perfect. In fact many believe that God gives us points for being as close to him as possible. Prayer is important though to our life if we want to be close to Jesus and our Creator. The more you pray the closer you get to Him. We are lucky that we have so many Avenues of prayer available to us. Our first exposure to prayer might be as a child during the night we thank God before we sleep and pray for his protection. Then we are exposed to prayer every Sunday when we go to Mass
According to Matthew R Plese, the Catholic Church Catechism states there are five forms of Catholic Prayer: Forms of Catholic Prayer: Thanksgiving prayer, Petition, persevering, intersession, and Meditative.
Thanksgiving Prayers to God should be done daily. One form is often done at the dinner table when we bless and give thanks to the food we eat. This type of prayer is done in case there comes a day when we will not be able to render thanks to God.
Petition prayer is the most common type of prayer. In this form we ask God and request of him a favor. The best time to do this is during the Eucharist. God is with us at this time and the veil between Earth and Heaven is the thinnest.
Persevering prayer are those that occur over and over. You pray night and day for this like job prayed. Matthew 7:7-8;"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."
Intersession type prayers are similar to those of petition but they differ because we ask not for ourselves but for others. This type of prayer often involves the Saints or loved ones in heaven. We ask the Saints to help us to pray for others.
Meditative prayer is quite simple. You say nothing and think of God's love for us all. We listen to God. Although the concept is simple some training or practice is required because some people often find it hard to clear their minds of all the clutter of the day. Some of the greatest Catholic minds of our day have written volumes on this subject including Thomas Merton to name one. A common place to meditate on the Love of God is during Adoration of the Eucharist. Others love the solitude of nature. Where you meditate is often a personal choice.
Tags: Praying To God
