What is prayer? Why do we pray?
There are so many different answers to the first question (so many ways of praying and expressing ourselves in prayer) but really only one constant answer to the second: We pray to be closer to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. St. John Damascene says "Prayer is the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God."
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) in paragraph 2558 states "Great is the mystery of the faith!" The Church professes this mystery in the Apostles' Creed (Part One) and celebrates it in the sacramental liturgy (Part Two), so that the life of the faithful may be conformed to Christ in the Holy Spirit to the glory of God the Father (Part Three). This mystery, then, requires that the faithful believe in it, that they celebrate it, and that they live from it in a vital and personal relationship with the living and true God. This relationship is prayer.
“For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.” St. Therese of Lisieux
CCC 2565 In the New Covenant, prayer is the living relationship of the children of God with their Father who is good beyond measure, with his Son Jesus Christ and with the Holy Spirit. Thus, the life of prayer is the habit of being in the presence of the thrice-holy God and in communion with him. This communion of life is always possible because, through Baptism, we have already been united with Christ. Its dimensions are those of Christ’s love.
RESOLUTION: Each week we encourage all small group members to make a resolution related to the topic. For prayer, think about how you pray. Discuss your resolution for the week. Some ideas: