Traditional Catholic prayers

[Lisa44]

Hi
I’d like to know why Catholics make vocal and mental prayers? Or do contemplative prayer.

In the Our Father, we say “thy will be done”.
If that is so, then what are we praying for exactly?

Are we praying for something to be done, like for our friend to live, if so why? If God is going to take them then he will and our prayer won’t stop that.

Jesus prayed for the cup to be passed from him but it was not God’s will, so it didn’t happen.

In all things, it seems, God will do what God will do, do people believe they can change events? Or do they pray so that they may accept God’s will in their life? If the later is the case, then it takes only one second to say “God’s will be done”.

Why pray 15 decades of the Hail Mary if God will do what God will do?

If I pray for anything else, then isn’t that going agaisnt God’s will?

I’m really confused about prayer, and what it is for, and what it accomplishes.

Sinse prayer is a cornerstone of Catholic life - I hope to get some answers.

 

[sheila0405]

Jesus taught His disciples the “Our Father”, so that is the simplest response as to why we Catholics pray it at every Mass, as well as in our private devotions. There is a fine line between accepting God’s will and attempting to persuade Him to act when we petition Him. Your example of Jesus’ prayer in the garden of Gethsemane is the perfect example. If the Son of God knew that it was God’s will that He die, then why ask God to reconsider–let this cup pass from me, nevertheless, not my will, but Yours? In the Bible we see examples where God seems to change His mind. In Genesis, God tells Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, then, at the last minute retracts His command and gives a ram to Abraham to sacrifice instead of Isaac. In the book of Exodus, God was so angry with the Israelites for making the golden calf, He decided to destroy them and start over again with Moses. Moses intervenes for the Israelites, and God changes his mind. God is going to destroy Ninevah, but changes his mind when the people heed Jonah’s preaching and repent. Jonah actually is upset that God didn’t follow through and wipe out the city.

For me, as a Catholic, I believe that God knows what He is doing, and that whatever He wills is perfect. Therefore, I pray that His will be accomplished here on Earth because that is what is best for us. I also am aware that God has asked us to pray to Him in the words Christ gave to us–we petition Him for our daily needs. This suggests that God wants us to ask Him so that He can therefore bless us and protect us.

God is a mystery and we cannot possibly understand Him completely. Instead, we open our hearts and minds to Him through prayer.

As to the Rosary–each decade is a snapshot of an episode in the life of Jesus and His mother. If you include the Luminous mysteries, which focus on Christ’s earthly ministry prior to His passion and death [the Luminous mysteries are my favorite], there are 20 decades. The primary purpose of the Rosary is to allow Him mother to walk us through her Son’s life. Mary’s admonition to us is “do whatever He tells you”. Meditating on Jesus’ life is a good way to align one’s mind and soul with God. We ask Mary to pray for us because we believe Jesus listens to her, as He did at Cana. The Epistle of St James reminds us that the fervent prayer of a righteous person has great power. Which people are more righteous than those who are purified by Jesus and are in His presence in Heaven? We ask people we know on earth to pray for us, why not ask the saints in Heaven to do so as well?

As to saying “so many” decades–Jesus told a parable about a judge who didn’t listen to the petitions of a widow. She kept knocking on his door repeatedly, and the judge finally relented and answered the door. Jesus said we ought also to persevere in our own prayers.

So, we pray because the Bible is filled with examples of God’s servants praying. We believe that God wants us to pray, and we pray with faith that He will hear us and incorporate our prayers into His ultimate will.

This is long, but I hope it helps a bit.

 

[Gara3987]

It has been a while since last I posted here. To answer your question, the Pater Noster was Sheila said given to us by Our Lord Christ.

We must remember that Our Heavenly Lord listens to our prayers, and to the prayers of those that you ask to intercede for you. What took place in Exodus 32, 9-14. is an example of this:

9 And again our Lord said to Moyses: I see that this people is converseth:

10 (d) suffer me, that my fury may be angry against them, and that I may destroy them, and I will make thee into a great nation.

(d) God saying, Suffer me, signifieth that he could be hindered St. Jerome. in Ione. 1.

11 But Moyses besought the Lord his God, saying: Why Lord, is thy fury angry against thy people, whom thou hast brought forth of the Land of Ægypt, in great power, and in a strong hand?

12 Let not the Ægyptians say I beseech thee: He hath craftily brought them forth, that he might kill them in the mountains, and destroy them from the earth: let thine anger cease, and be pacified upon the wickedness of thy people.

13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel (e) thy servants, to whom thou swearest by thine own self, saying: I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven: and this whole land, whereof I have spoken, I will give to your seed, and you shall possess it always.

(e) Not only Gods promise, but also his servants merits are here proposed for procuring mercy to the people. See the Annotation.

14 And our Lord was pacified from doing the evil which he had spoken against his people.

1. Moyses besought.] Albeit Moyses with most humble submission prayed for the people, which God so accepted, that he was thereby pacified, (v. 14.) yet Calvin here condemneth him of arrogancy, and pride, as though he imperiously prescribed law to God, spoiling him of his justice. Much otherwise St. Jerome (Epist. 12. ad Gaudent.) commending his fervent charity, doubteth not to say. Dei potentiam serui preces impediebant. The servants prayers hindered Gods power, because God himself saying, suffer me, that my fury may be angry against them, and that I may destroy them: showed his Divine providence to be such, as he might be stayed, from doing that which be threatened.
2. Remember Abraham,] It much troubled Calvin, that for obtaining pardon for the people, the Patriarchs are mentioned, for whose sake and merits, mercy, and protection was promised by God (Gen. 18. 22. 26.) prophesied by Jacob, (Gen. 48.) performed here, and in many other places. And it is a vain evasion to say; God showed his mercy for his promise sake only; for he promsed the same for their merits; as appeareth in the places alleged. Though all merits proceed from Gods grace, first given without merits. [Subnote: Grace goeth before merits.] 1. Cor. 4. v. 7. St. Aug. de grat. & lib. arb. c. 6

 

[Lisa44]

Jesus taught His disciples the “Our Father”, so that is the simplest response as to why we Catholics pray it at every Mass, as well as in our private devotions. There is a fine line between accepting God’s will and attempting to persuade Him to act when we petition Him. Your example of Jesus’ prayer in the garden of Gethsemane is the perfect example. If the Son of God knew that it was God’s will that He die, then why ask God to reconsider–let this cup pass from me, nevertheless, not my will, but Yours? In the Bible we see examples where God seems to change His mind. In Genesis, God tells Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, then, at the last minute retracts His command and gives a ram to Abraham to sacrifice instead of Isaac. In the book of Exodus, God was so angry with the Israelites for making the golden calf, He decided to destroy them and start over again with Moses. Moses intervenes for the Israelites, and God changes his mind. God is going to destroy Ninevah, but changes his mind when the people heed Jonah’s preaching and repent. Jonah actually is upset that God didn’t follow through and wipe out the city.

For me, as a Catholic, I believe that God knows what He is doing, and that whatever He wills is perfect. Therefore, I pray that His will be accomplished here on Earth because that is what is best for us. I also am aware that God has asked us to pray to Him in the words Christ gave to us–we petition Him for our daily needs. This suggests that God wants us to ask Him so that He can therefore bless us and protect us.

God is a mystery and we cannot possibly understand Him completely. Instead, we open our hearts and minds to Him through prayer.

As to the Rosary–each decade is a snapshot of an episode in the life of Jesus and His mother. If you include the Luminous mysteries, which focus on Christ’s earthly ministry prior to His passion and death [the Luminous mysteries are my favorite], there are 20 decades. The primary purpose of the Rosary is to allow Him mother to walk us through her Son’s life. Mary’s admonition to us is “do whatever He tells you”. Meditating on Jesus’ life is a good way to align one’s mind and soul with God. We ask Mary to pray for us because we believe Jesus listens to her, as He did at Cana. The Epistle of St James reminds us that the fervent prayer of a righteous person has great power. Which people are more righteous than those who are purified by Jesus and are in His presence in Heaven? We ask people we know on earth to pray for us, why not ask the saints in Heaven to do so as well?

As to saying “so many” decades–Jesus told a parable about a judge who didn’t listen to the petitions of a widow. She kept knocking on his door repeatedly, and the judge finally relented and answered the door. Jesus said we ought also to persevere in our own prayers.

So, we pray because the Bible is filled with examples of God’s servants praying. We believe that God wants us to pray, and we pray with faith that He will hear us and incorporate our prayers into His ultimate will.

This is long, but I hope it helps a bit.

Hi, thanks
This worries me a bit, because then if we pray and pray for something, and it doesn’t happen, one could feel unworthy or unloved.

 

[Lisa44]

It has been a while since last I posted here. To answer your question, the Pater Noster was Sheila said given to us by Our Lord Christ.

We must remember that Our Heavenly Lord listens to our prayers, and to the prayers of those that you ask to intercede for you. What took place in Exodus 32, 9-14. is an example of this:

9 And again our Lord said to Moyses: I see that this people is converseth:

10 (d) suffer me, that my fury may be angry against them, and that I may destroy them, and I will make thee into a great nation.

(d) God saying, Suffer me, signifieth that he could be hindered St. Jerome. in Ione. 1.

11 But Moyses besought the Lord his God, saying: Why Lord, is thy fury angry against thy people, whom thou hast brought forth of the Land of Ægypt, in great power, and in a strong hand?

12 Let not the Ægyptians say I beseech thee: He hath craftily brought them forth, that he might kill them in the mountains, and destroy them from the earth: let thine anger cease, and be pacified upon the wickedness of thy people.

13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel (e) thy servants, to whom thou swearest by thine own self, saying: I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven: and this whole land, whereof I have spoken, I will give to your seed, and you shall possess it always.

(e) Not only Gods promise, but also his servants merits are here proposed for procuring mercy to the people. See the Annotation.

14 And our Lord was pacified from doing the evil which he had spoken against his people.

1. Moyses besought.] Albeit Moyses with most humble submission prayed for the people, which God so accepted, that he was thereby pacified, (v. 14.) yet Calvin here condemneth him of arrogancy, and pride, as though he imperiously prescribed law to God, spoiling him of his justice. Much otherwise St. Jerome (Epist. 12. ad Gaudent.) commending his fervent charity, doubteth not to say. Dei potentiam serui preces impediebant. The servants prayers hindered Gods power, because God himself saying, suffer me, that my fury may be angry against them, and that I may destroy them: showed his Divine providence to be such, as he might be stayed, from doing that which be threatened.
2. Remember Abraham,] It much troubled Calvin, that for obtaining pardon for the people, the Patriarchs are mentioned, for whose sake and merits, mercy, and protection was promised by God (Gen. 18. 22. 26.) prophesied by Jacob, (Gen. 48.) performed here, and in many other places. And it is a vain evasion to say; God showed his mercy for his promise sake only; for he promsed the same for their merits; as appeareth in the places alleged. Though all merits proceed from Gods grace, first given without merits. [Subnote: Grace goeth before merits.] 1. Cor. 4. v. 7. St. Aug. de grat. & lib. arb. c. 6

Hi Gara,
Thank you for this quote. Perhaps you could tell me why you think this passage is important. Are you suggesting that if we stop praying to God for his protection and intercession in our lives, in short, his grace, that he will remove it? That God actually wants to hear us pray outloud to him? That it has purpose outside of cause and effect, but simply because he wants to be acknowledged formally? Or maybe, to take it one step further, if no one prayed he would have destroyed us long ago, and that we might only be here because we prayed and continue to pray to God?