toward heaven,it is a cry of recognition andof love,embracing both trial and joy(CCC 2558).
Saint John Damascene, an eighth-century monk and doctor of thechurch, defines it in this way, “Prayeris the raising of one’s mind and heartto God or the requesting of goodthings from God” (CCC 2559).
2) What spirit or attitude can
help me in prayer?
“Humility is the foundation ofprayer. Only when we humblyacknowledge that ‘we do not knowhow to pray as we ought,’ (Romans
8: 26) are we ready to receive freelythe gift of prayer. ‘Man is a beggarbefore God,’ said Saint Augustine”(CCC 2559), a fifth-century bishopand doctor of the church.
3) Am I the one who initiates
prayer?
Not exactly; God is always seeking
us and awaiting us: “Whether we re-
alize it or not, prayer is the encoun-
ter of God’s thirst with ours. God
thirsts that we may thirst for him”
(CCC 2560).
4) Where does prayer
come from?
While prayer may be expressed in
Code #446 VocationNetwork.org Community Search
VOCATIONS@STEMMA.ORG
both words and gestures, it emanates
from the heart:
According to Scripture, it is
the heart that prays. If our
heart is far from God, the
words of prayer are in vain.
The heart is the dwelling
Prayer is the raising
of one’s mind and
heart to God or the
requesting of good
things from God.”
“
Code #112 VocationNetwork.org Community Search
