Personal Devotion
Christianity
Prayer
Traditionally used to develop a closer
relationship with God
The Bible contains many examples of
Jesus praying in solitude
Prayer means to entreat or request
Prayer connects the heart, mind and
will to God in words, song, thought
or wordless silence (contemplation)
Prayer
Prayer is an act of faith which
consists in asking for proper gifts or
graces from God
Prayer does not have to be external
or vocal
Prayer may be acts of praise and
thanksgiving, but petition is the
principal act of prayer
The essential elements…
The object of prayer must be worthy
of God and good for the one who
prays.
A willingness to be humble and
sincere in prayer is essential.
As is the need to conform to God’s
will
Types of Prayer
•Vocal prayer
•Mental prayer
•Private & public prayer
Prayer
Prayer can be accompanied by certain
postures, dependent on culture and
tradition e.g.
- standing with arms raised
- bowed heads
- eyes raised to heaven
- beating the chest
- kneeling
- prostration
Vocal Prayer
Uses verbal expression to
accompany the internal act of prayer
The vocal actions helps to keep the
person attentive in prayer and adds
to its intensity
May use set prayers of hymns or it
may consist of personal praise,
thanks and petition
Mental Prayer
Meditation is a form of mental
prayer
It is the application of the soul,
intellect, imagination, memory and
will to the contemplation of some
Biblical mystery or truth in order to
enhance one’s spirituality in order to
approach closer unity with the divine
Private and Public Prayer
The main distinction is that the
prayer of the individual, whether in
or out of the presence of others is for
personal or for others’ needs, while
all prayer offered officially or
liturgically is public and usually
offered in churches or chapels
Public Prayer
Special times of the day, week and
year are appointed for public prayer
However, private prayer is possible
during time set aside for public
prayer
Public Prayer - Sacraments
The Sacraments are special rituals or
rites of passage that bring God and
spiritual blessings more into