Prayer
Christian prayer is a covenant relationship between God and man in Christ.
- CCC, 2564
Christian Prayer is a covenantal relationship. A Covenant is different than a contract. When a contract is used between people or companies, there is an agreement about the exchange of goods and services. They seek to be binding, however, contracts can often be amended or broken in order to better suit the purposes of one of the parties.
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A Covenant is the exchange of persons. When God makes a covenant with man, it cannot be amended or dissolved. Because God is the one who initiates the covenant, and God is always faithful to his promise, the covenant lasts whether or not man believes in or acts according to it.
Christian prayer is a covenant because it always originates from the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26-27, CCC 2564), through whom God initiates the exchange of persons. In response, man reaches out from the most inner part of a person --his heart-- and seeks union with God, through Jesus Christ.
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Because Christian prayer is a covenant, we can be sure that God always hears us when we pray. This is not based on whether we are "doing it right," but because of who He is.
Four Basic Forms of Prayer
Adoration
This type of prayer praises and glorifies God for being God. This form acknowledges God's goodness and his provision. Adoration involves recalling the blessings God has provided: creation and the gift of life; the wonders and beauty all around us that bring us joy; our gifts, talents and abilities; friendships and people in our lives; the joy of love. Prayers of adoration also encourage the use of bodily posture, the lifting of hands, bowing down, or kneeling before the Eucharistic Jesus.
Petition
We know this type of prayer, because it's the most common. Prayers of petition are the way we bring our needs before God and ask him to provide for us in some way. Whether it is the healing of a loved one, help to pass an exam, or asking God to "give us this day our daily bread," prayers of petition require a posture of humility to acknowledge that "every good and perfect gift is from above" (James 1:17).
Intercession
Intercession is essentially praying on behalf of another. We can bless others, the world, and the Church through offering intercessory prayers for them. The saints in heaven also participate in intercessory prayers for those of us here on earth, and we on earth can intercede for those in the state of Purgatory.
Thanksgiving
As the name would suggest, prayers of thanksgiving thank God for his presence and provision in our lives. These prayers help us to be grateful as we recognize and appreciate everything we have been given --friends and family, our home, jobs, state of life, vocation, etc. When we pray in thanksgiving, we acknowledge that the good things we have in our lives has been given to us.
Begin Your Prayer Journey
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