Prayer basics

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StranraerHibby

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Dear friends,

I am reasonably new to the forum and I am grateful for the warm welcome I have since received. I started attending mass only about 2 weeks ago but found the experience very comforting and helpful in regards to my issues.

Can someone highlight for me the basic outlines of prayer? I guess there is a certain way of addressing God, but I’m new to Catholicism and would appreciate any help.

Thanks in advance,

Andrew
 
There is an IPad app called Catholic Prayers Lite (free) as well as others which I find very useful and convenient. There may be some for a droid but I really don’t know.
 
StranraerHibby said:
Dear friends,

I am reasonably new to the forum and I am grateful for the warm welcome I have since received. I started attending mass only about 2 weeks ago but found the experience very comforting and helpful in regards to my issues.

Can someone highlight for me the basic outlines of prayer? I guess there is a certain way of addressing God, but I’m new to Catholicism and would appreciate any help.

Thanks in advance,

Andrew
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When the Apostles asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, he didn’t give them a huge, long explanation. He gave them a prayer – the Our Father:

Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdome 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.

That’s a really good starting point. Jesus gave us a model to follow. He said to call God our Father, and so we do.

Basically, prayer is a conversation with God. Just talk to Him. And be sure to also spend time trying to listen to Him talk to you.

Reading the Bible is also quite helpful, especially the Gospels. God often speaks to us through our reading the Bible. I know that it often helps me to have text in front of me to divert my attention to when my mind starts to wander.

The most important thing is to do it. We cannot expect to get it “right” from out of the starting gate. Be intentionally consistent with the time you devote to prayer each day. You will learn as you go.

In other words, just show up. God will show up as well.
 
Here’s something I didn’t know for a long time:

There are four kinds of prayer: Prayers of thanksgiving, prayers of request, prayers of contrition (I’m sorry for … ), and prayers of praise (doxologies).

Just so you don’t think praying only involves ‘please’ and ‘thank you’.

God bless.
 
svid2 said:
Here’s something I didn’t know for a long time:

There are four kinds of prayer: Prayers of thanksgiving, prayers of request, prayers of contrition (I’m sorry for … ), and prayers of praise (doxologies).

Just so you don’t think praying only involves ‘please’ and ‘thank you’.

God bless.
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+1
 
StranraerHibby said:
Can someone highlight for me the basic outlines of prayer?
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Find a time and place to be quiet and aware of the presence of God .

Don’t forget that in prayer the important part is what God has to say to you .

I would advise you to let Jesus speak to you through passages from the Gospels .

Also remember that without the Holy Spirit we cannot pray , so be open to his guidance in prayer .
 
There are many prayers that have been crafted by those who came before us, the greatest being the Our Father which Christ gave us. These prayers are helpful in that they can guide us, can be signposts in our walk with God. But don’t forget to also just talk with God. And make sure to spend time being quiet, so you can hear Him.

Also, it is great to go to Eucharistic Adoration, where you can spend time with Him personally.
 
StranraerHibby said:
Dear friends,

I am reasonably new to the forum and I am grateful for the warm welcome I have since received. I started attending mass only about 2 weeks ago but found the experience very comforting and helpful in regards to my issues.

Can someone highlight for me the basic outlines of prayer? I guess there is a certain way of addressing God, but I’m new to Catholicism and would appreciate any help.

Thanks in advance,

Andrew
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You can use prayers already written, but sometimes I just have conversation with God and Jesus as if they were next to me in room.
 
zz912 said:
There are many prayers that have been crafted by those who came before us, the greatest being the Our Father which Christ gave us. These prayers are helpful in that they can guide us, can be signposts in our walk with God. But don’t forget to also just talk with God. And make sure to spend time being quiet, so you can hear Him.

Also, it is great to go to Eucharistic Adoration, where you can spend time with Him personally.
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Ummm, I have MUCH to learn and RCIA will be reeaaallllly slow in the coming.
So pardon my lack of knowledge; Eucharistic Adoration?
FYI: I go to a hospital Chapel several times a week just to meditatively be closer to Him…
thank you
 
Thanks again everyone, I had a quiet day yesterday, really just taking in everything that I read in the Bible.

I’m slowly but surely learning so I do appreciate all the help and advice I have received on the forum.

God bless,

Andrew
 
cheezey said:
Ummm, I have MUCH to learn and RCIA will be reeaaallllly slow in the coming.
So pardon my lack of knowledge; Eucharistic Adoration?
FYI: I go to a hospital Chapel several times a week just to meditatively be closer to Him…
thank you
Click to expand...
Eucharistic Adoration is the public exposition of the consecrated Eucharist/Communion (the Body of Christ). Most parishes have specific times/days when they will have the consecrated host available for viewing and adoration. You are in the Presence of God Himself. It is very peaceful, and is very beneficial.

This will usually only be held at a parish, and not at a hospital chapel. Great care must be taken and we must be reverent with handling His Body, so the pastor usually won’t let the consecrated host leave the parish.
 
zz912 said:
Eucharistic Adoration is the public exposition of the consecrated Eucharist/Communion (the Body of Christ). Most parishes have specific times/days when they will have the consecrated host available for viewing and adoration. You are in the Presence of God Himself. It is very peaceful, and is very beneficial.

This will usually only be held at a parish, and not at a hospital chapel. Great care must be taken and we must be reverent with handling His Body, so the pastor usually won’t let the consecrated host leave the parish.
Click to expand...
Thank you. I just met with the RCIA. director. She recommended so much except this and was discouraging with RCIA. So I will ask about times. Maybe it’s time to find another parish, actually…
Again, thank you
 
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