Why We Pray

Prayer can be calling upon God for assistance. God desires closeness with us, an intimate relationship. Prayer is communication with God that allows our relationship with Him to develop and grow.

“For me prayer is a surge of the heart, it is a simple look towards Heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.” – Saint Therese of Lisieux

Everyone is called to live a “vital and personal relationship with the living and true God. This relationship is prayer.” Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2558

We can pray alone or with others; we worship together as parish communities at Mass and pray as families. Prayer can be public or private. It can be formal or spontaneous. There are many types of prayer and many different styles of worship, but all center on living and experiencing our relationship with the living God. Each person can develop his or her own style, routine, and rhythm of prayer. Prayer is an essential component of being a Catholic. Prayer helps us form a sense of security and a deeper awareness of our dependence on God.

Tips for Praying Find a quite place and time. Prayer can be done anywhere but it is good to have a place that is conducive to relaxing and focusing our attention on God. Finding a regular time to pray each day can also be helpful to making prayer an important daily routine.

1. Calm yourself and put away distractions. It is important to be relaxed when we pray by finding a comfortable posture.

2. Use formal prayers or speak what you feel to God, or a combination of each. It is important to note that there is no “right” way to pray. Experiment with styles and forms of prayer. Prayer is an ongoing, developing relationship with God.

3. Take time to listen. God does speak to us in prayer but we need to listen with our hearts. Be open to what God is telling you
rather than just on what you want to or expect to hear.

4. Use the Bible in your prayer.

5. Keep a journal of prayer.

6. Have a proper attitude. Prayer requires openness to God and a desire to worship and get to know God better.

Thinking about returning to the Catholic Church?

Many people have, for one reason or another, stopped actively participating in the Church and attending Mass. We live in a busy culture and society. There are many demands that are placed on us. Yet people are searching for a deeper sense of meaning, for a closer relationship with God, and for a more authentic spiritual identity.

Perhaps you or someone you know are in this situation and do not know how to come back or how to become active again. The first thing you need to know is that you are always welcome back.

You can call us at 315-732-8521 and ask for Fr. Kevin.

Not ready to make the call just yet? Catholics Come Home is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to invite inactive Catholics, and others searching for a faith home, to the Catholic faith. Their informative and interactive website helps to answer questions about Church teachings and gives an overview of the Catholic faith. Some of the founders and supporters of Catholics Come Home have themselves recently returned to the Catholic faith and want to share their positive experiences with others. A first step might be to visit Catholics Come Home.

If you would like to take an additional step, St. John the Evangelist Church hopes you accept this as your invitation to rediscover the truth, wonder and mystery of the Catholic faith by visiting us and perhaps joining our parish. On an occasional basis, we have small group meetings, the purpose of which is to reintroduce people to the faith. These meetings usually run for about six weeks (one meeting per week).

We too strive to deepen our relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ – through His Holy Spirit. We believe that Jesus showed us that a journey like this is best done with companions.

Feel free to call us. We be happy to meet you.  315-732-8521