1. What is Prayer?
January GIFT 2011

2. Prayer is… Converse with God
The intercourse of the soul with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but in direct address to him.
May be oral or mental, occasional or constant, ejaculatory or formal.

3. Things that can affect your prayer life…
temperament and personality
age and life situation
motivation and desire
time of day / internal body clock
prayer space

4. Prayer becomes difficult when…
you’re not in the habit of praying
you still pray as a child because
you haven’t developed a mature
faith
prayer has become routine

5. Prayer becomes difficult when…
you expect too much from your prayer (ex. good feelings or immediate answers
you think it is a waste of time because you don’t really understand what prayer is

6. Obstacles to Prayer Inability to quiet oneself / calm down
don’t know where to start
distractions (internal and/or external)

7. Obstacles to Prayer Environmental concerns (too hot/cold/confortable)
Not feeling well (sickness, exhaustion, emotionally upset, over-excited)

8. How God answers prayer…
“There are not two kinds of answers to prayer, but three. One is ‘Yes.’ Another is ‘No.’ The third is ‘Wait.’”
Archbishop Fulton Sheen

9. Ways God answers prayer…
through the works of another person
through words of advice, comfort or guidance

10. Ways God answers prayer…
through a change in attitude
through a s l o w process (may appear to be unanswered at first)

11. Ways God answers prayer…
Sometimes God says “NO” because He knows what’s best for us
Sometimes God answers us in unexpected ways

12. “Lord, teach us to pray… ACTS Adoration Contrition Thanksgiving
Supplication

13. “Lord, teach us to pray… Our Father Matthew 6:9-13 & Luke 11:2-4
Both the “perfect” prayer and outline for all prayer

14. “Lord, teach us to pray…
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

15. “Lord, teach us to pray…
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.

16. “Lord, teach us to pray…
For the kingdom, the power, And the glory are yours Now and forever. Amen.

17. The rest of the evening…
Prayer stations
Centering Prayer
Praying with the Psalms