What is Prayer
Prayer is a form of worship in which a person may offer devotion, thanks, confession, or supplication to his or her God (supplication means to implore, invoke, plead, request or to ask humbly of God). Prayer is the act of offering reverent petitions to God. Praying is a religious service, of which prayer is the most prominent part. Prayer is the act of beseeching honestly or earnestly. It is being in communion with God. It is the recognition of His Presence (in the world and in our lives), as in offering Him praise and thanksgiving(for His generous intersession). Some people kneel while they pray. Others sit, stand, or lie down on the ground.
Pray differs according to one's faith. Roman Catholics pray to saints or the Virgin Mary, as well as to Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and God our father in Heaven. Prayers and devotions (of the Roman Catholic Church) are contained in books called the breviary and missal.
"The Lords Prayer " is also called the "Disciples Prayer" because Jesus taught this prayer to His disciples, as an example of the proper way to pray. It contains the qualifications which Jesus intended a prayer to have. It recognizes the greatness and majesty of God and it pleads for His Kingdom to come. It also asks forgiveness of sins, and for spiritual and physical help. The "Lord's Prayer" is found in two forms in the New Testament; in the Gospels of Matthew 6: 9-13, and in Luke 11: 2-24.
1. The Breviary is a book of the Roman Catholic Church. It contains the 150 Palms, other parts of the Bible, prayers, litanies, and other writings - all of which make up the Divine Office. It is arranged for a daily recitation, according to a varied program throughout the year. Every member of the Catholic clergy, in major orders, is obliged to recite the office daily, unless lawfully excused. Some religious communities also have monastic breviaries to be read. The Breviary is usually in four volumes, each of which corresponds to one season of the church year. It may be bound in one volume (Matins, Vespers).
2. The Missal is the book containing the prayers and ceremonial directions, of the complete yearly service or liturgy - for the celebration of Mass in the Roman Catholic Church. The word Missal comes from the Latin missal- meaning mass. All the separate books formerly used in the service have been united into one volume, to for form the missal.
Roman Catholic Prayer
"Roman Catholic prayer is the raising of one's mind, heart, and soul to God. It is also the requesting of good things from God. Prayer is expressed both vocally and mentally".
"Vocal prayer can be spoken or sung.
Examples of vocal prayer is the saying of grace before and after meals, and saying the Our Father, and singing a song of praise, and singing psalms".
"Palms: Psalms are an important part of the liturgy. From the earliest times until today. Christians view the Old Testament as prefigures of Christ. We believe the Palms were written by King David but, that Christ inspired King David to write them".
" The Liturgy of the Hours: The Liturgy of the Hours is centered on chanting or recitation of the Psalms".
" Devotions: Devotions are prayers or pious exercises used to demonstrate reverence for a particular aspect of God, or the person of Jesus Christ, or for a particular saint.
Catholic devotions: have various forms ranging from formalized prayers such as Novenas, to activities which do not involve any prayers, such as Eucharistic Adoration, the veneration of saints, and horticultural practices such as maintaining a "Mary Garden" where one can meditate and contemplate Mary, Jesus, and God the Father, and Creator".
"Common examples of Catholic devotion include: praying the Rosary, devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus, devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and the veneration of various saints".
There are 4 basic forms of prayer:
Praise, Petition, Intercession, and Thanksgiving. "
"Mental Prayer is a form of prayer whereby one can show their love for God through dialogues (speaking) to or with Him, meditating on his Words, and contemplating Him. Thus, examples of mental prayer are meditation and contemplation.
Mental prayer is a time of silence - focused on God and one's relationship with Him".
"Mental prayer is divided into 2 forms: mediation or active prayer, and contemplation or passive prayer".
"Meditation is a form of reflective prayer - which engages thought, imagination, emotion, and desire. Ordinary or active prayer mental prayer, consists of 2 operations.
*One belongs to the thinking process - which applies to the imagination, memory, and understanding in order to consider a truth or a Godly mystery.
*The other is dependent on the will which compels one to love, desire, and ask for the good proposed by the mind, and make resolutions to arrive at it".
"Contemplation or contemplative prayer is a form of silent prayer. It is a silent attentiveness which looks at God by contemplating and adoring His attributes. It is taking the time, frequently, to be alone with God (it is a close sharing with God) who loves us. It is an inner prayer where we meditate but, our attention is fixed on the Lord Himself".
"The Roman Catholic Church highlights 4 basic elements of prayer: Prayer of Blessing and Adoration, Prayer of Petition, Prayer of Intersession, and Prayer of Thanksgiving".
1. Blessing and Adoration: The prayer of Blessing expresses praise and honor to God, and humankind's response to God's gifts.
Adoration: Is an attitude acknowledging GOD as our Creator, and humankind as His creations or creatures.
Praise: Praise means we praise God as God, in other words praise means we recognize God as God" .
2. Petition: Petition is a request to God to fulfill a need. Jesus said "Whatever you ask for, in my name, He will give you". Through petition one can ask for god's help with every day needs - great or small. According to the Roman Catholic Church Christ is glorified by what we ask the Father in His name".
3. Intercession: Intercession is a prayer of petition which leads us to pray as Jesus did. For, Jesus is the one intercessor with the Father, on behalf of all humankind, especially sinners. It is a prayer to God on behalf of another person or persons. It is asking God to assist other people with the things or help they need".
4. Thanksgiving: A prayer of Thanksgiving celebrates what God has given, or done for us".
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Prayer for the Sick, the Dying, and the Dead
Prayers for the Sick Almighty and Everlasting Father, You are the Salvation of all believers. I (We) entreat You to hear my (our) prayers, for those who are sick. May they in restored health return You thanks, once again in the company of the faithful. I (We) ask this in Christ's name. + Amen + Dear Jesus Divine Physician and Healer of the sick. We (I) turn to You in this time of illness. O Dearest Comforter of the troubled, alleviate our (my) worry and sorrow with Your Gentle Love; And grant us (me) the grace and strength to accept this burden. Dear God, we (I) place our (my) worries in Your Hands. We (I) place our sick under Your Care; And humbly ask that You restore Your servant(s) to health again. Above all, grant us (me) the grace to acknowledge Your Holy Will, And, know that whatsoever You do, You do it for the love of us (me). + Amen + Prayer for the Dying Most Merciful Jesus, lover of the souls, I pray You, by the Agony of Your Most Sacred Heart, And, by the Sorrows of Your Immaculate Mother, to wash in Your Most Precious Blood, the sinners of the world, Who are now in their agony, And, who will die. Heart of Jesus, once in Agony, Have Mercy on the dying. + Amen + Prayer for the Dead (Saint Ignatius Loyola) Receive Lord, in tranquility and peace, The soul(s) of Your servant(s), who have departed, Out of this present life, to be with You. Give them (him/her) the Life that knows no age; The good things that do not pass away, Through Jesus Christ our Lord. + Amen + Saint Micheal the Archangel
In Hebrew, the name Michael means "who is like God". The Archangel Michael is mentioned 3 times in the book of Daniel of the Old Testament. The Archangel Michael became known as an Advocate and Protector of the Hebrew people. In the New Testament Book of Revelations, Michael is a protector and he is the one who leads God's Armies into battle against Satan and his evil forces. In the War in Heaven, Micheal defeats Satan. In Roman Catholic teachings, Michael has various roles or offices. One role of the Archangel Michael is the leader of the Army of God, and leader of Heaven's forces in the triumph over the powers of Hell. Micheal is viewed as the Angelic model for the virtues of the spiritual warrior, with the conflict against evil at, at times, viewed as the battle within. The Archangel Michael also deals with death. In this role, Michael is the Angel of Death, carrying the souls of all the deceased to Heaven. Michael also plays a role in being a special patron (defender or protector) of the Chosen people in the Old Testament, and is also the Guardian of the Church of God. Roman Catholicism includes traditions such as the "Prayer to Saint Michael", which specifically asks, for the faithful people of God, to be defended by the Archangel Michael. Followers of the Eastern Orthodox Church title Michael as "Archistrategos" or "Supreme Commander of the Heavenly Hosts". In the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, the Archangel Michael is seen as the one who presents to God, the prayers of the just, the one who accompanies the souls of the dead to heaven, and the one who defeats the devil. In medieval Christianity, Michael, together with Saint George, became the patron saints of chivalry. Today, Michael is considered to be the patron saint of police officers, paramedics, mariners, and the military. Apart from his being a patron saint of warriors, the sick and the suffering also consider the Archangel Michael their patron saint. The Archangel Michael commands the Army of Angels loyal to God against the rebel forces of Satan; and thus deplicted or represented, armed with a Sword from God's Armory victorious in battle with Satan. Michael is also represented as an Angelic Warrior, fully armed with helmet, sword or lance, and a shield. The Arch Angel Michael is also seen standing over a serpent or dragon, or the defeated figure of Satan; whom he pierces with a lance or sword. * Wikipedia Prayer to Saint Michael (the Archangel) Holy Michael, the Archangel, defend us in our days of battle. Be our safeguard, against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And, may the Prince of the Heavenly Host, By the Power of God, Thrust down to Hell, Satan and all wicked spirits, who wonder through the world, for the ruination of all souls. * Amen * Micah (Old Testament) "God, Jehovah, hath shown thee O man, what is good; And what doth He require of thee: But to do justly, And to love mercy, And - to walk humbly with thy God?" Prayer to Our Guardian Angels (Michael, Gabriel, Raphael) Angels of God, my guardians dear; To whom His love commits me here. Ever this day be at my side, To light, to rule, to guard and guide. * Amen * |
The Prayers for the Way of the Cross
And The 14 Stations of the Cross: Prayer for the Way of the Cross We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You, and we bless You; Because by Your Holy Cross You have Redeemed the world. * We pray the "Prayer for the Way of the Cross" before each Station. * After each Station we pray: the Lord's Prayer, the Hail Mary, and the Glory Be. Walking and Praying The 14 Stations of the Cross (In the Church) *Walk before the first Station, and pray: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You, and we bless You; Because by Your Holy Cross You have Redeemed the world. 1. Jesus is condemned to death. Pray: Our Father who are 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. - Amen - Pray: Hail Mary full of Grace, the Lord is with thee; Blessed are you, among women; And Blessed is the Fruit of your Womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, Pray for us sinnHail Mary, full ers; Now, and at the hour of our death. - Amen - Pray: 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 - *Walk before the next Station and Pray the "Prayer for the Way of the Cross" We adore You O Christ ... 2. Jesus takes up His Cross. Pray: Our Father who are in Heaven ... Pray: Hail Mary full of Grace ... Pray: Glory be to ... * Walk to the next Station and pray: We adore You O Christ ... 3. Jesus falls the first time. Pray: Our Father ... Pray: Hail Mary ... Pray: Glory be ... * Walk before the next Station and pray: We adore You O Christ ... 4. Jesus meets His sorrowful Mother. Pray: Our Father ... Pray: Hail Mary ... Pray: Glory be ... * Walk before the next Station and pray: We adore You O Christ ... 5. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry the Cross. Pray: Our Father ... Pray: Hail Mary ... Pray: Glory be ... * Walk before the next Station and pray: We adore You O Christ ... 6. Veronica wipes the Face of Jesus. Pray: Our Father ... Pray: Hail Mary ... Pray: Glory be ... * Walk before the next Station and pray; We adore You O Christ ... 7. Jesus falls a second time. Pray: Our Father ... Pray: Hail Mary ... Pray: Glory be ... * Walk before the next Station and pray: We adore You O Christ ... 8. The women of Jerusalem weep for Jesus. Pray: Our Father ... Pray: Hail Mary ... Pray: Glory be ... * Walk before the next Station ad pray: We adore You O Christ ... 9. Jesus falls the third time. Pray: Our Father ... Pray: Hail Mary ... Pray: Glory be ... * Walk before the next Station and pray: We adore You O Christ ... 10. Jesus is stripped of His garments. Pray: Our Father ... Pray: Hail Mary ... Pray: Glory be ... * Walk before the next Station and pray: We adore You O Christ ... 11. Jesus is nailed to the Cross. Pray: Our Father ... Pray: Hail Mary ... Pray: Glory be ... * Walk before the next Station and pray: We adore You O Christ ... 12. Jesus dies on the Cross. Pray: Our Father ... Pray: Hail Mary ... Pray: Glory be ... *Walk before the next Station and pray: We adore You O Christ .... 13. Jesus is laid in the arms of His mother. Pray: Our Father ... Pray: Hail Mary ... Pray: Glory be ... * Walk before the next Station and pray: We adore You O Christ ... 14. Jesus is laid in the tomb. Pray: Our Father ... Pray: Hail Mary ... Pray: Glory be ... 15. Jesus rises from the dead. |