Personal Prayer
Together in Christ
for the Greater Glory of God
for the Greater Glory of God
Prayer as worship
Worshiping God in prayer involves:
St. John Damascene gave a classic definition of prayer: "Prayer is the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God." However, it should be noted, definitions of prayer are important, but insufficient. There is a huge difference between knowing about prayer and praying. On this issue, St. Benedict is clear, "If a man wants to pray, let him go and pray."
Jesus Himself taught us how to pray:
Worshiping God in prayer involves:
- Acknowledging our sinfulness and asking God's forgiveness.
- Ascribing to God all glory and honor.
- Acknowledging our dependence upon God.
- Petitioning God for our needs.
- Giving thanks for all of the blessings which God has provided for us.
St. John Damascene gave a classic definition of prayer: "Prayer is the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God." However, it should be noted, definitions of prayer are important, but insufficient. There is a huge difference between knowing about prayer and praying. On this issue, St. Benedict is clear, "If a man wants to pray, let him go and pray."
Jesus Himself taught us how to pray:
When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and do not subject us to the final test, but deliver us from the evil one.
But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and do not subject us to the final test, but deliver us from the evil one.
(Matthew 6: 5-15)
In prayer we give voice to our reverence for God, as Jesus did of the Father, and that is in large measure what worship is all about. Pray without ceasing.
(1 Thessalonians 5:17)
