Prayer What is Prayer Prayer is the raising

Prayer

What is Prayer "Prayer is the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God. " But when we pray, do we speak from the height of our pride and will, or "out of the depths" of a humble and contrite heart? He who humbles himself will be exalted; humility is the foundation of prayer, Only when we humbly acknowledge that "we do not know how to pray as we ought, " are we ready to receive freely the gift of prayer. "Man is a beggar before God. " (CCC 2559)

Dichotomizing the Catechism's Definition • Raising one’s mind and heart to God • Requesting good things. . . • . . . requesting from a place of humility • Cannot accomplish the above on our own • If honest, will realize need God to properly pray • Prayer is an act of charity (God showing us charity)

Prayer as a Covenant • Regardless of a prayer’s format, the entire person must pray • One’s heart must fully pray • What does the term “heart” mean in the Old Testament • Deepest part of us, even deeper than our psyche

Prayer in Luke’s Gospel • Special emphasis on prayer • Prayer sustains Christ • Luke 11 • The Father hears our prayers

Challenges to Prayer • Why is there a need for prayer? • What about the lack of response (spiritual dryness) man experience during and after prayer?