prayer
Derivation
- prayer = to beg (Latin)
Article
An act of the virtue of religion, the lifting up of mind and heart to God to adore, praise, thank Him, and ask Him for aid, an implied exercise of faith, hope, and, at least, initial love. Vocal prayer is the recitation of a set form; mental prayer is interior, made without the use of a given formula. Prayer is necessary for salvation, the victory over temptation, the practise of virtue, the perseverance in grace. It is the ever possible and ready means of grace prescribed by God as the acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty, and man’s utter dependence on Him. Prayer which man makes for himself will certainly be heard, if the proper things are asked, and the prayer is made with attention (excluding willful distractions), sincerity, humility, confidence, perseverance. Private prayer is that made in one’s own name; public prayer is made in the name of the community. Liturgical prayer is the official prayer of the Church (Prayers of the Mass, the Breviary). The spirit of prayer consists in the appreciation of the excellence, the conviction of necessity, and confidence in the power of prayer. The most perfect prayer is the “Our Father.”
MLA Citation
- “prayer”. New Catholic Dictionary. CatholicSaints.Info. 24 March 2023. Web. 24 April 2024. <>