How do you believe prayer works?

[Melrose88]

Hello,
I am interested to hear how other Catholics believe prayer works.
Just a little background about me. I have just returned to the Catholic faith after being away for quite a while and was involved in a spiritual group where the belief was that we create our own experiences by our thinking - both good and bad experiences. It was also the belief in this group that there is a God (loving force in the universe), but not a personal God. The belief was also that prayers of supplication / petition do not work as God is unchangeable, and that the idea of prayer is to change ourselves not God.
The way that prayer works is something that has always confused me, and now that I am back in the Catholic faith I am trying to embrace my prayer life, but to be honest I am still confused with prayer.
I would be grateful for some guidance.
Thank you.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Well, I think you first have to answer the question, " why did you come back to the Catholic Church ? "

Jim

 

[JRKH]

Well - I would begin with Jesus instructions - contained in them are insights into how prayer works.
Matthew 6:…
5 "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 "And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:
Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread; 12 And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our debtors;
13 And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil.
14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; 15 but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Peace
James

 

[JRKH]

As a more direct answer to your question…Prayer is a communication.
It is talking with and learning from God.
It can include praise and worship as well as petition.
It helps us to become more attuned to God’s voice in our life. It aids us in growing closer to Him.
It is the “spicket” by which we can gain access to His graces.

It is all of this and more.

Peace
James

 

[DMC12]

God already knows what you are going to say, He even knows what you don’t think you need.

but he want’s you to ask him, to talk with him (I don’t know why, but since it’s His reasons it must be a perfect reason). that is how prayer works at least that is my idea.

 

[Melrose88]

Thank you for your responses.

Jim asked me why I came back to the Catholic Church. There are quite a few reasons, but in relation to prayer, one reason is that I missed a personal relationship with God.

I understand that prayer is communication with God, but what I was a bit confused about is how God answers prayers of petition as I often hear that prayer only changes us - not God.

Thank you.

 

[JRKH]

Thank you for your responses.

Jim asked me why I came back to the Catholic Church. There are quite a few reasons, but in relation to prayer, one reason is that I missed a personal relationship with God.

I understand that prayer is communication with God, but what I was a bit confused about is how God answers prayers of petition as I often hear that prayer only changes us - not God.

Well - one answer to this would be that God answers prayer BY changing us.

Thank you.

You are welcome

Peace
James

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Jim asked me why I came back to the Catholic Church. There are quite a few reasons, but in relation to prayer, one reason is that I missed a personal relationship with God.

I understand that prayer is communication with God, but what I was a bit confused about is how God answers prayers of petition as I often hear that prayer only changes us - not God.

I asked your reasons for coming back to the Church, because no everyone has good reasons which is growing closer to Christ, which is what you are saying.

Prayer is a relationship with God, regardless of communication. Often, its just resting in his presence not expecting anything. Just loving Him because he is God.

Anyway, prayers of petition are asking God for what he already knows what we desire, but I think it’s an act of showing our understanding that we are dependent on Him for everything.

Also, prayers that are answered are also to show that God is the God of all.

Jim

 

[Melrose88]

Thanks Jim and James - great answers - thank you.
It is wonderful to be part of this forum - a place where you can ask faith questions and have such thoughtful responses.