What is prayer?
Prayer is God's gift to us; it is the human expression of our relationship with God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
It is helpful to distinguish between Prayer and prayer.
Prayer: a profound attitude of heart in God's presence.
prayer: an activity by which we try to develop Prayer.
Prayer with a capital 'P' is called Contemplation.
prayer with a small 'p' may be 'saying prayers (vocal prayer) or thinking about God (meditation).
All authentic prayer has a contemplative dimension.
- Fr Tom O'Hara SJ
Prayer is first of all finding God in the present moment of our life: in our relationships, in the choices we face, in the anxieties and hopes, the challenges and disappointments that make up the stuff of our days. Genuine prayer leads us to the very centre of things.
Prayer
is an uplifting of the heart,
a glance towards heaven,
a cry of gratitude and love
in times of sorrow
as well as of joy.
- Mons Tony Doherty