“For God, whom I serve with my spirit by announcing the gospel of his Son, is my witness that without ceasing I remember you always in my prayers.” Romans 1:9
When I was little, I heard a talk at my church. Like most talks this guy gives, it was awesome! I don't remember anything from it, except he said to “open your heart to God.” I had heard this tons of times, on almost every retreat I've been on. They say open your heart, just open the door a little bit, just crack it open. I always thought that was a good idea but I didn't know how. No one ever told me how to and I never asked because I thought it was a stupid question. Until this one night when I did ask. All he said was you just have to ask and invite Him in and He will come. It was that simple. All I have to do is invite him? It’s true. Inviting Him in is the first step. If you haven't done that, then do so. All you have to do is ask. Just say, “Jesus come into my heart.” It is that easy.
I also have a friend who isn't Catholic or Christian, but He was looking. I asked Him once if He prayed and He said yes. Then I asked him if he knew how to pray? He said not really. This surprised me because I grew up praying, and I thought everyone knew how. If you have ever talked to anyone, you know how to pray. Prayer is a conversion with God.
However, there are different types: Adoration, Contrition, Petition, and Thanksgiving. Adoration and praising God is the first type. What is praising God? What is Adoration? An example of adoration is praise and worship music or saying something like “God, You are great.” It’s that simple. Next is Contrition or asking for God's forgiveness. This is something we should do all the time. Saying something like “Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Everyone does this in the confessional, but it can be done in between the times you go to confession, or even if you aren't Catholic. Just ask God for forgiveness. Next, there is Petition this is probably what is done most. It is just asking God for a something. Anytime you ask God to help you or someone with something, that is petition. The last one is Thanksgiving, or showing God gratitude. This is probably the least used one, but it's just as simple as the other ones. Lord Thank You! That simple.
When you pray, you should try to include all the types of prayer. When we go to mass, we are using all four. That is one reason that the mass is considered the highest form of prayer. Whenever you get a chance, go to mass.
To sum it up, you could learn everything there is to know about prayer and it wouldn't make a difference. The most important thing is to do it! Start today. Ask the Lord to come into your heart and then just talk. Don’t forget to listen. It is that simple.
"Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at His disposition, and listening to His voice in the depth of our hearts." - Mother Teresa
"God shapes the world by prayer. The more praying there is in the world the better the world will be, the mightier the forces against evil." - Mother Teresa
Just my thoughts.
Go With God!
Duncan
