1. PRAYER PRAYER

2. PRAYER: some definitions… St. Clement - conversation with God: this implies an ongoing relationship with God. St. Clement - conversation with God: this implies an ongoing relationship with God.

3. BALTIMORE CATECHISM Prayer is defined as - Lifting our hearts and minds to God. Prayer is defined as - Lifting our hearts and minds to God.

4. FOUR TYPES OF PRAYER ADORATION ADORATION prayers of praise prayers that give glory to God

5. TYPES OF PRAYER: CONTRITION –expresses sorrow and forgiveness for sins; we are moved by God’s goodness and mercy to ask for forgiveness. CONTRITION –expresses sorrow and forgiveness for sins; we are moved by God’s goodness and mercy to ask for forgiveness.

6. TYPES OF PRAYER: Thanksgiving - expressions of gratitude for all God has done for us. Prayers of thanksgiving acknowledge the many gifts God has given us. This type of prayer shows that we don’t take things for granted, appreciate everything he has done for us and reveals that without God we can do nothing. Thanksgiving - expressions of gratitude for all God has done for us. Prayers of thanksgiving acknowledge the many gifts God has given us. This type of prayer shows that we don’t take things for granted, appreciate everything he has done for us and reveals that without God we can do nothing.

7. TYPES OF PRAYER: Supplication - the most common form of prayer. These are prayers of petition. We count on Jesus’ message that his father is also our loving father whom we may approach in confidence. Supplication - the most common form of prayer. These are prayers of petition. We count on Jesus’ message that his father is also our loving father whom we may approach in confidence.

8. BENEFITS OF PRAYER: Prayer contributes to our self worth : Prayer contributes to our self worth : In prayer we get in touch with our true selves. In prayer we get in touch with our true selves. We discover that God loves us. We discover that God loves us. We can experience God’s love. We can experience God’s love.

9. BENEFITS OF PRAYER: Prayer leads to happiness: Prayer leads to happiness: We find through prayer that our only enduring source of true We find through prayer that our only enduring source of true HAPPINESS IS God. HAPPINESS IS God.

10. BENEFITS OF PRAYER: Prayer changes us Prayer changes us We cannot meet God and remain unaffected. We cannot meet God and remain unaffected. Prayer develops virtue in the pray- er such as faith, hope and love, humility etc. Prayer develops virtue in the pray- er such as faith, hope and love, humility etc.

11. BENEFITS OF PRAYER: Prayer gives us more energy: Prayer gives us more energy: Time spent with the lord is energizing Time spent with the lord is energizing We return from prayer with more enthusiasm We return from prayer with more enthusiasm Prayer has a calming effect Prayer has a calming effect

12. BENEFITS OF PRAYER: Prayer has a healing effect: Prayer has a healing effect: God touches and heals our emotional fears God touches and heals our emotional fears Forgives sin, relieves guilt Forgives sin, relieves guilt

13. BENEFITS OF PRAYER: Prayer helps us solve problems: Prayer helps us solve problems: We learn to let go and let God.