It is hard to think about the Catholic faith without thinking at the same time of prayer. As Saint Paul tells us,
Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thess. 5:17-18)
But just how is it we do this? What does it mean to pray? What is it God wants for us to do?
It seems important for us to consider that all prayer is first an action of God. However it is we pray, we are moved by God’s grace to do so. Moreover, all prayer, even the recitation of the traditional prayers below, is waiting attentively to how it is God wants to interact with us.
And so below are those prayers that are often called devotional or traditional. Praying these prayers, like all prayer, is intended to draw us to greater love of God and of our neighbor.