Prayer

What is Prayer? Prayer is simply talking to God. Prayer can be anything we want it to be from traditional prayers to having a conversation. the most special prayers in our faith: THE MASS We can talk to God what is going on in our lives We can thank God for all the good things that have happened to us We ask God for help with any problems we might have ( some people imagine God sitting in front of them in a chair having a conversation)

How can we pray? sitting quietly, watching and listening to the world that God has made using the formal traditional prayers of the Church such as the rosary or the Lord’s Prayer reading the bible and imaging that we are part of the action or interpreting what it means stopping during the day to share a thought with God or ask God to help someone that we know There is no “right” or wrong ways to pray. God will respond whenever we call out in faith and love.

Traditional Prayers

Our Father Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Our Father (translation) God, who lives in heaven, Your name is holy. You are holy. May our world become a place where all live the way you want them to live. May things happen exactly as you want them to here on earth, just as they do already in heaven. Each day give us the things we need to stay alive. God, when we do something wrong, forgive us in the same way that we forgive other people who do wrong things to us. Help us not to think about doing things that are wrong. Keep us away from all that is not loving and good. Yes. I believe. It is true.

Hail Mary Hail Mary, Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death. Amen.

Glory Be Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Apostle’s Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Apostle’s Creed I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Types of Prayer Praise Thanksgiving Confession Petition Intercession

How to Write your Prayer Opening or Greeting: Address your prayer by greeting God, the Father Dear Lord O God Heavenly Father / Father in Heaven

How to Write your Prayer Opening or Greeting: Praise/Adoration: This part of prayer centred entirely on God. It is our expression of praise for all that God is - His holiness, majesty, love and greatness. It should come from the heart, from our emotions; it’s an expression of our inmost feelings. Lord, you alone are perfect Father God, you are gracious & loving all the days of life God, you are merciful & forgiving in every way Lord God, you are all powerful from the beginning to the end of time

How to Write your Prayer Opening or Greeting Praise/Adoration Thanksgiving: It is only right and proper that we should thank God for all that he has done. For the beauty of this world which he created, for the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the promise of the Holy Spirit, his continuing creativity in the world today and for the Church - his body here on earth. I would like to thank you for… We would give thanks for… For these things are grateful ….

How to Write your Prayer Opening or Greeting Praise/Adoration Thanksgiving Confession/Forgiveness: In confession we acknowledge our imperfections and ask for forgiveness. Any prayer of confession should properly express our belief that God offers the promise of forgiveness. I ask that you pardon me for… We graciously implore you to forgive us for ... I am truly sorry for… I need your forgiveness for the times in my life when...

How to Write your Prayer Opening or Greeting Praise/Adoration Thanksgiving Confession/Forgiveness Supplication/Petition: is the asking part of our prayers, the requests for healing, justice, peace, comfort or whatever is the need of the moment. Grant me the gift of (courage, wisdom, wisdom, patience) Help me to be more (loving, grateful, peaceful) Allow me…

How to Write your Prayer Opening or Greeting Praise/Adoration Thanksgiving Confession/Forgiveness Supplication/Petition Intercession: is the asking for others – loved ones, others in the word. These should be the requests for healing, justice, peace, comfort or whatever else is needed in the world at this moment. We pray for the persecuted… We bring before you all those that are suffering from… We ask that you …

How to Write your Prayer Opening or Greeting Praise/Adoration Thanksgiving Confession/Forgiveness Supplication/Petition Intercession Closing: Conclude your prayer in Jesus’ name. “Anything you ask of the Father in my name, He shall give to you” We ask all of this through your son, Jesus Christ We ask this through Christ, our Lord In Jesus’ name we pray