Chapter 34: The Forms of Prayer

Question 1

Blessing

Answer 1

a prayer asking God to care for a person, place, or activity

Question 2

Petition

Answer 2

a prayer where you ask God for help and forgiveness

Question 3

Intercession

Answer 3

a prayer on behalf of another person or group

Question 4

Thanksgiving

Answer 4

a prayer of gratitude for the gift of life and the gifts of life

Question 5

Praise

Answer 5

a prayer acknowledging that God is God; glorifying him simply because he is

Question 6

Blessing

Answer 6

God gives us a gift so we respond to it with joy and gratitude
Adoration – prayerful acknowledgement that God is God and creator of all
In some blessings you invoke God’s power and care on another person, place, or thing

Question 7

Petition

Answer 7

God is always willing to be there for you when you need him (all you have to do is ask)

Most common form of prayer because it is very spontaneous

It naturally arises from the desires of our hearts

We are aware of our relationship with God and our dependence on him, so it is natural to seek him when we need something

First step in petition – asking for forgiveness and acknowledging your shortcomings

Kyrie Eleison – Greek for “Lord, have mercy”

Novena – a public or private devotion that usually lasts for 9 days
Prayers for a specific intention

Question 8

Intercession

Answer 8

Prayer asking for God’s help on behalf of someone else

Encourages you to broaden your horizons and see yourself as a part of something greater

When you pray for others, you are acknowledging their importance in your heart

Question 9

Thanksgiving

Answer 9

Remember that we are creatures and God is our creator

When we pray thanksgiving, we are more aware that everything we have is thanks to God

The Greek word eucharist means “thanksgiving”

People usually spend the time after Communion lifting prayers of thanksgiving

Thanksgiving prayers tend to become more natural as you get older

It can be difficult to give thanks when you experience hardship
Being able to show gratitude in these circumstances requires a deep belief in the Pascal Mystery
Pascal mystery – the mystery that life and growth come through death and suffering

Question 10

Praise

Answer 10

Purest, most authentic form of love; equivalent to “love for the sake of love”

This form of prayer expresses our love for God simply because he is

Doxology – prayer of glory and praise directed at the Trinity