Prayer Information

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.

Video: What Is Prayer with Bishop Barron
Video: Why Do We Need to Pray with Fr. Mike
Video: The Power of Prayer with Bishop Barron

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; share 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.
The soul needs prayer like the body needs oxygen.
There is no wrong way, just pray!

Video: 4 Tips for Praying with Fr. Mike
Video: Tips on Praying for a Busy Person with Fr. Mike
Video: How Bishop Barron Learned to Pray
Video: How to Pray from the Heart with Fr. Mark-Mary
Video: What Should We Talk to God About with Fr. Mike
Audio: Developing the Habit of Daily Prayer with Dr. Sri

Sign of the Cross

The sign of the cross is a physical action where we trace a cross on our body. The gesture is either performed with fingers or the whole hand, moving from top to bottom, then left to right, or right to left. We do this to remember our Baptism, to remember the sacrifice of Jesus, and to profess our belief in one God in three divine persons.

Around the year 150 when Christians were baptized, a cross was traced on their forehead. This action fullfills the prophesy of Ezekiel in the Old Testament and the writings of Paul and John in the New Testament. By the 7th century, Christians began to make the larger cross on their bodies as we do today.

It is common practice to make the sign of the cross before and after prayers. It is also recommended that we make the sign of the cross anytime we are in need of help or protection.

A silent or verbal prayer is often said as we make the sign of the cross. Using the words of Jesus from the Gospel of Matthew, we pray ‘In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.’

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

A shorter version of the Apostles’ Creed, known as the Old Roman Creed, was used around the year 150 for Baptisms. By 390 it was referred to as the Creed of the Apostles because it summarized the faith as taught by the original Apostles. By the seventh century the Apostles’ Creed was finalized into the version we have today.

The Nicene Creed was developed in 325 at the Council of Nicaea to address the heresy of Arianism. The heresy denied the Holy Trinity claiming that God created Jesus, therefore Jesus was not God. The Nicene Creed is professed by many churches including the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches.

Both the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed are professions of our faith and either may be said at Sunday Mass, but the norm is to say the Nicene Creed. The Apostles’ Creed is normally prayed as part of the Rosary and other devotional prayers.

The line in the Apostles’ Creed He descended into hell does not mean that Jesus went to hell as we call it today. The Hebrew word for hell had two meanings; the place for those eternally damned and the place for the righteous dead waiting for salvation. Jesus went to this second place to preach the good news and open the gates of heaven for these holy souls.

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

Our Father

The Our Father, also called the Lord’s Prayer, was taught by Jesus to his disciples. A longer version of the prayer appears in Matthew and a shorter version in Luke. The version we pray today is based on Matthew and was translated to English around the 1540s.

The phrase “For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen” is a doxology which means it is an expression of glory or praise for God. The doxology was said after the Our Father during Catholic Mass as early as the first century.

The doxology does not appear in the earliest copies of the Bible. Monks who were making later copies of the Bible by hand, likely added the doxology due to its use in the Mass. Modern Bible translations no longer include the doxology.

Many Protestants pray the doxology as part of the Our Father. Catholics pray the doxology at Mass after the Our Father, but usually don’t include it when praying the Our Father at other times.

Modern Bible translations no longer include the doxology, but many Protestants pray the doxology as part of the Our Father. Catholics pray the doxology at Mass after the Our Father, but usually don’t include it when praying the Our Father at other times.

The words “lead us not into temptation” seem to imply that God would lead us into temptation, which he would never do. This is a modern English translation from ancient Greek which was a translation from Aramaic. “Do not let us fall into temptation” might be closer to the intent.

Video: What is the Lord’s Prayer About with Bishop Barron
Video: Dr. Scott Hahn Unpacks the Lord’s Prayer
Video: What It Really Means to Pray “Our Father”

Hail Mary

The Hail Mary prayer developed over many centuries. The first two thirds of the prayer are almost word for word from the Bible; Luke 1:28 and 42. These verses were used in Mass as early as the 6th century.

The last third of the prayer contains a factual statement about Mary and a petition to her. This part of the prayer developed between the 11th and 16th centuries. The full prayer we recite today was formalized in 1515.

Jesus tells us that we are to worship God alone. And from the Cross, Jesus gives us his mother Mary. When we pray the Hail Mary, we are giving honor to his mother, not worship. Also we are fulfilling the biblical prophecy that all generations will call her blessed.

Jesus tells us in Revelation 8:3-4 that the saints in heaven are offering up their prayers to God. Just as we would ask a friend to pray for us, it is good to ask the saints in heaven, including Mary, to pray for us as well.

Article: Understanding the Hail Mary Prayer
Audio: The Biblical Roots of the Hail Mary Prayer
Video: The Hail Mary Prayer Explained Line by Line
Video: Praying the Hail Mary Well

Glory Be

A version of the Glory Be prayer was recited in the 4th century to affirm the Trinity, during a time when some didn’t believe Jesus was God. By the 7th century, the prayer was formalized into what we recite today.

The prayer is a doxology which means it is an expression of glory or praise for God. Various doxologies have been recited throughout time. Saints Peter and Paul often included expressions of praise to God in their letters in the Bible.

Today the Glory Be is most often recited in the Rosary and the Liturgy of the Hours.

Article: Glory Be (Doxology)

About Guardian Angels

We learn about guardian angels in the Bible.

“For he commands his angels with regard to you,
to guard you wherever you go” (Psalm 91:11 NABRE).

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father” (Matthew 18:10 NABRE).

Children often learn a simple version of the Guardian Angel Prayer.

Video: How Guardian Angels Actually Work with Fr. Mike

St. Michael the Archangel

In 1884 Pope Leo XIII had a vision of Satan claiming he could destroy the Church. The Pope was moved to compose the St. Michael the Archangel Prayer, which draws from Revelation 12 and other books of the Bible. The prayer was included at the end of most Masses until 1964.

Attacks on the Catholic Church and all Christian denominations have been increasing over the past few decades. Many parishes have brought back the practice of reciting this prayer at Mass. Individuals are also reciting the prayer daily for personal protection.

Video: History of the Prayer to St. Michael
Video: About the St. Michael the Archangel Prayer
Article: Meaning of the St. Michael the Archangel Prayer
Article: The St. Michael Prayer

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. The line 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,
…

Family Prayer

In 1947, Fr. Patrick Peyton used the slogan “A family that prays together, stays together” as part of his Family Rosary Crusade which encouraged families to pray the Rosary together.

The Family Prayer appeared around the time of the Family Rosary Crusade. Many versions of the Family Prayer were printed on prayer cards and in devotional booklets. This version of the prayer was derived from one of the cards received decades ago.

Prayer for Fathers

This prayer includes the 4 cardinal virtues: wisdom, justice, courage, and self-control. Cardinal is a latin word for hinge, meaning that all moral virtues hinge off them.

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

The Seven Deadly Sins

Sin is when we deliberately disobey God. God is love and God wants us to love him, love others, and love ourselves. God wants us to be virtuous.

These seven sins are called deadly because they can lead to the destruction of our soul. In the 4th century a list of deadly sins was compiled. Pope Gregory the Great refined the list to these seven deadly sins in the 6th century.

Video: Mortal vs Venial Sin with Fr. Mike
Video: What is Sin? with Bishop Barron
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

The Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments can be found in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. There are actually 11 ‘you shall not’ commandments and two positively stated commandments. So how does 13 become 10?

In the 3rd century Origen summarized and grouped the 13 commandments into a list of 10 that could be memorized. In the 5th century Augustine refined the list by changing some of the grouping.

Protestant, Anglican, and Eastern Orthodox churches use Origen’s list while Catholic and Lutheran churches use Augustine’s list. Both lists include all 13 commandments. The only difference is how they are grouped.

Augustine’s list
- Combines “no other gods” and “no idols/images” into the 1st commandment.
- Keeps “coveting your neighbor’s spouse” and “coveting your neighbor’s goods” as the 9th and 10th commandments.
Origen’s list
- Keeps “no other gods” and “no idols/images” as the 1st and 2nd commandment.
- Combines “coveting your neighbor’s spouse” and “coveting your neighbor’s goods” into the 10th commandment.

Video: The Greatest Commandment and The Ten Commandments
Video: A Tour of the Ten Commandments with Bishop Barron

Jesus Prayer

The Jesus Prayer originated from monasteries in the 4th century and is rooted in the following biblical passages:

“Jesus, son of David, have pity on me” (Mark 10:47 NABRE).
“O God, be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13 NABRE).
“Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16 NABRE).

One version of the Jesus Prayer has 12 words with the line Son of God. Another version has 14 words; with the line Son of the living God.

Video: The Jesus Prayer Explained
Video: The Jesus Prayer Might Radically Change Your Prayer Life
Video: John Michael Talbot – The Jesus Prayer – Part 1: Breath

Act of Contrition

Contrition is a deep feeling of sorrow for having sinned. Instead of just feeling sorry, we take action by praying an act of contrition.

The Act of Contrition prayer has its roots throughout the Bible, particularly several of the Psalms. Early Christians were urged to be genuine in their sorrow, and not just go through the motions and perform their assigned penance.

In the 16th century, the Council of Trent established that praying an act of contrition was part of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (also known as Penance and Confession). Also, the prayer should include sorrow for having sinned and a resolve not to sin.

To help Christians pray a proper act of contrition, formal prayers were established and then evolved over the centuries. We can pray one of the formal prayers or a spontaneous act of contrition.

Praying an act of contrition at home, often in conjunction with an examination of conscience, is a good practice and helps us grow our relationship with God. However, we still need the Sacrament of Reconciliation to have our sins forgiven.

Video: The Act of Contrition Prayer and Meaning
Text: Sacrament of Reconciliation
Text: Examination of Conscience