Document #: TX005834

Prayer

and

Church History
Chapter 47

Prayer: Conversation with God

Chapter Summary
Prayer is a conversation with a friend (God) that can
be part of everyday life.
God is a friend who knows us completely and loves us
as we are.
Prayer requires conversion, or a change of heart.
Prayer is sometimes hard, but worth it.

Messages to God
and What Is Prayer?
(Handbook, pages 514517)

Prayer is our way of staying

in touch with God at all times.
When you raise your mind
and heart to God, you are
praying.
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Pray It!
Stop. Take time to slow down.
Breathe quietly in and
out a few times.
Tell God what is in your
mind and heart.
Listen to the silence.
Listen some more.
Thank God for listening.

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Tuning In to God
(Handbook, pages 517519)

God never tires of wanting to be with us.

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Review It!
God is never too busy
to listen to us.
We only have to
tune in, listen, linger,
and experience the
divine music in our
hearts and souls.

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Think About It!

The name Emmanuel
means God is with us
always, not just at Christmas.
Think quietly . . .
When is God with you?
When do you need God
to be with you?
Tell him now: God, please
be with me when . . .

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When to Pray
(Handbook, page 520)

Because nothing can

separate us from the
love of God, it is always
possible to pray.
God is always loving us,
every second of every day.
We can always be open
to his presence.

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Pray It!
Saint Paul wrote, Pray
always for all Gods people
(Ephesians 6:18).
Pair up to think of people
who need prayer. Write
your prayers, then offer your
petitions aloud for the needs
of Gods people. Respond
to each one with, Lord, hear our prayer.

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(The scriptural quotation in this presentation is from the Good News Translation [Todays English Version, Second Edition] copyright 1992 by the American Bible Society. All
rights reserved. Bible text from the Good News Translation [GNT] is not to reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by the American Bible
Society, 1865 Broadway, New York, NY 10023, americanbible.org.)

When Prayer Is Difficult

(Handbook, pages 521522)

Our relationship with God can have ups and downs.

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Think About It!

When we keep turning
back to God even when
we seem to get a busy
signal, we experience
conversion, a change
of heart.
We stay in touch with
the God who loves us
beyond all understanding.

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Pray It!
When prayer is hard, try some of these ideas:
Say a decade of the Rosary (one Our Father and ten
Hail Marys).
Listen to a favorite hymn or song.
Pray Lord, have mercy ten times, and then be quiet for
awhile. Thank God for mercy!
Try one of these now, aloud as a group or silently.

Pray It!
Stay in touch with God by
appreciating creation. Even
cities have parks and green
spaces. Saint Bernard of
Clairvaux once said, What
I know of the divine science
and holy scripture, I learnt
in the woods and fields.
Always be thankful!

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