Prayer Information

This page defines prayer and provides tips for praying. There are also links to videos, podcasts, or articles providing additional information about some of the prayers on this website.

About Prayer

Prayer is a conversation between us and God.
Prayer is an expression of praise, thanks, or need.
Prayer can be at any time of the day or night.
Prayer can be anywhere: home, work, car, etc.
Prayer is how we grow our relationship with God.
Prayer can be:
- two words or two thousand.
- pre-written or spontaneous.
- spoken, sung, or silent thoughts.

Types of Prayer

Adoration. Giving praise and glory to God.
Thanksgiving. Thanking God always, for every aspect of our lives, even our struggles.
Petition. Asking God to help us.
Intercession. Asking God to help others.
Contrition. Telling God we are sorry when we don’t follow his commandments.

Tips for Praying

Pray every day, in a quiet place, by ourselves.
Put God first and pray before we start our day.
Turn off distractions and focus on God.
Talk to God as we would to a good friend, sharing our joys, sorrows, anger, needs, etc.
Quiet our mind and listen; God speaks to us in the silence of our heart.
Ask the Holy Spirit to help us pray; and listen.
Throughout the day, continue to pray; ask for help, give thanks, and give praise.
There is no wrong way, just pray!

Video: Tips on Praying for a Busy Person with Fr. Mike
Video: How Bishop Barron Learned to Pray

Sign of the Cross

The sign of the cross began in the early centuries after Jesus was crucified on a cross. During the sacrament of Baptism, the celebrant would mark a cross on the forehead of those being baptized.

Article: A Short History of the Sign of the Cross
Video: The Sign of the Cross with Fr. Brice
Video: The Sign of the Cross with Fr. Brad

The Apostles’ Creed
and
The Nicene Creed

The Apostles’ Creed is from the first centuries after the resurrection of Jesus. It was rumored to have been developed by the original Apostles themselves, hence the name, but that is not true.

The Apostles’ Creed was expanded in the year 325 at the Council of Nicaea, to address certain heresies of the day, especially those that denied the Holy Trinity.

The Nicene Creed is professed by many churches including the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches.

Audio: 1,700 Years of the Nicene Creed with Bishop Barron

Prayer for Fathers

The 4 cardinal virtues are prudence (wisdom), justice, fortitude (courage), and temperance (self-control). Cardinal is a latin word for hinge, meaning that all moral virtues hinge off them.

Wisdom: Seeing things from God’s perspective and make decisions that align with God’s will.
Justice: Respecting the rights of others by treating them fairly and with dignity.
Courage: Doing what is right even when faced with challenges and persecution.
Self-control: Moderating one’s speech, emotions, and actions over the impulses and desires of the body.

Sin and Virtue

By the 4th century a list of deadly sins was compiled. In the 6th century, Pope Gregory the Great refined the list and that list is what we have today.

Article: The Seven Deadly Sins – Catholic Answers
Audio: 3 Signs We Struggle with Pride with Dr. Sri
Audio: The Bible Commands Us to be Angry? with Dr. Sri

Jesus Prayer

The prayer originated from monasteries in the 4th century and is rooted in biblical passages such as the following:

Mark 10:47 Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.
Luke 18:13 God, be merciful to me, a sinner.

In Jewish tradition numbers often symbolize concepts.

The number 12 symbolizes completeness, God’s authority, and perfect governance. For example, the 12 tribes of Israel.

The number 14 symbolizes kingship, deliverance, and salvation. For example, 14 is the numeric value of the name David, the great king of Israel.

One version of the Jesus Prayer has 12 words with the line Son of God. This version has 14 words; with the line Son of the living God. I like this version because it is through Jesus, our King, that we are delivered from sin and receive salvation.

Examination of Conscience

An examination of conscience is a prayerful reflection on our thoughts, words, and actions, to identify those times we have failed to live according to God’s will.

It is good to perform an examination each night just before bed. This daily practice brings to mind those opportunities where we can better align ourselves with God.

The following link has several examinations to choose from; all based on the Word of God.

Additional Examinations of Conscience

Act of Spiritual Communion

The practice of praying an act of spiritual communion was first started in the 5th century. It evolved over the centuries and in the 1700’s, St. Alphonsus Liguori wrote this prayer.

Article: A Short History and Theology of Spiritual Communion
Video: The Real Presence in the Eucharist with Bishop Barron

The Crucifixion and Resurrection

Through his death on the cross, Jesus freed us from sin, and by rising from the dead, he opened the door to eternal life.

The Resurrection proved that Jesus is the Son of God, and that all he said was true. In order to live with him forever in heaven, we must turn away from our sins and do as he commands.

Video: The Revolution of the Resurrection with Bishop Barron
Video: Christ, and Him Crucified with Bishop Barron
Video: Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross with Fr. Mike

Soul of Christ

The author of this prayer is unknown but it is believed to have been written in the 14th century. St. Ignatius of Loyola popularized this prayer in the 16th century by including it in his spiritual exercises. Those exercises included prayers and meditations aimed to help people deepen their relationship with God. One line from the prayer, highlighted in red and italics below, has been removed to enhance the poetic flow.

…
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within your wounds, hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from you.
From the wicked foe, defend me.
At the hour of my death, call me,
…

About Saints

One of the beliefs we state in the Apostles’ Creed is the belief in the communion of saints.

A saint is someone who is faithful to God. The communion of saints is the connection of all members of the Church, including those on earth trying to become a saint and those in heaven who are saints. The Church gives some individuals in heaven the title of ‘Saint’ for their exceptional holiness and acts of faith.

We have pictures and statues of our historical and spiritual heroes to remind us of what they have done and to inspire us to be like them. We may admire and adore these heroes, but we don’t worship them or their statues. We only worship God.

Saints are alive in heaven and are part of our Church family. Just as we may ask a friend at church to pray for us, we may ask the saints in heaven to do the same. Saints come from all walks of life and have struggles just like us. Read their stories.

Audio: Do the Saints Distract Us from God? with Dr. Sri