The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture

WOF 473: Why and How to Pray

Jan 20, 2025

Explore the profound nature and purpose of prayer, delving into questions like why we pray if God is omniscient. Discover the impact of various prayer forms, from liturgical to contemplative, and the significance of intercessing for the dead. Gain insights into the transformative power of forgiveness and priors in deepening one’s prayer life, alongside the unique communal aspects of Christian prayer. Understand how faith and perseverance can enhance communication with the divine.

38:08

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Quick takeaways

Prayer is primarily an intimate communication with God that nurtures our relationship and aligns our will with His divine wisdom.

Different forms of prayer, like liturgical and contemplative, uniquely facilitate spiritual growth and deepen awareness of God's presence.

Deep dives

Understanding the Nature of Prayer

Prayer is fundamentally described as the act of raising one's mind and heart to God, establishing a deep and intimate conversation with the divine. While this act involves human expression, the essence of true prayer lies in allowing God to engage and speak to us first. Just as a parent delights in hearing from their child, God finds joy in our expression of needs and desires, emphasizing that the need for communication thrives on love and relationship. This interaction reflects the unique friendship established by Jesus, who invites believers to approach God with the familiarity of friends rather than mere servants.

Intro

2min

The Essence of Prayer: An Intimate Dialogue

17min

The Depths of Christian Prayer

10min

Intercession and Community: Understanding Prayer in Catholicism

3min

The Principles of Effective Prayer

4min

The Practice of Praying for the Dead and Its Spiritual Significance

3min

What is the nature and purpose of prayer? The question may sound simple, but it unearths some complex philosophical and theological issues. If God is omniscient, what is the point of speaking with him, either out loud or in our thoughts if he already knows what we have to say? If God is all good and all powerful, why does it sometimes appear that our prayers go unanswered? More practically, what are we to make of the great diversity of prayers—liturgical prayer, petitionary prayer, worship prayer, the Rosary? Are some forms of prayer more efficacious than others? Here are some tips on how we can understand and grow in our prayer life.

A listener asks why Catholics pray for the dead and if we should pray for the souls of non-Catholics too.

00:00 | Intro 01:34 | Bishop Barron’s holiday season recap 02:45 | What prompted the publication of An Introduction to Prayer? 03:37 | What does it mean to pray? 05:31 | If God knows everything, why do we pray? 07:38 | If God is unchanging, how does prayer change things? 15:53 | If God is all-good, why do prayers go unanswered? 18:40 | How is prayer different for the Christian? 21:56 | The importance of liturgical prayer 23:47 | Understanding contemplative prayer 28:24 | Properly understanding the intercession of the saints 31:25 | Practical principles for growing in prayer 33:41 | Forgiveness as a prerequisite for answered prayers 35:07 | Listener question 37:31 | Join the Word on Fire Institute

Links:

An Introduction to Prayer by Bishop Robert Barron: https://bookstore.wordonfire.org/products/an-introduction-to-prayer
Word on Fire Institute: https://institute.wordonfire.org/

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