Friday, 12 February 2016

What role did prayer play among the first Christians?

The first Christians prayed intensively. The early Church was moved by the Holy Spirit, who had come down upon the disciples and to whom they owed all their influence. “They held steadfastly to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers” (Acts 2:42).


What are the names of the five main types of prayer?
The five main types of prayer are BLESSING and adoration, prayer of petition, prayer of intercession, prayer of thanksgiving, and prayer of praise. [2626-2643]

What is a prayer of blessing?
A prayer of blessing is a prayer that calls down God’s BLESSING upon us. From God alone all blessings flow. His goodness, his closeness, his mercy— that is blessing. “May the Lord bless you” is the shortest prayer of blessing. [2626-2627]

Every Christian should call down God’s blessing upon himself and upon other people. Parents can trace the Sign of the Cross on their child’s forehead. People who love each other can bless one another. Furthermore a PRIEST, by virtue of his office, blesses explicitly in the name of Jesus and on behalf of the Church. His request for blessings is made especially effective through Holy Orders and the prayer power of the whole Church.

Prayer in my opinion is nothing else than a close sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with him who we know loves us.
ST. TERESA OF AVILA
(1515-1582)
Worship . . . is not a luxury, but a priority. To seek Jesus must be the constant desire of believers, young people and adults, of the faithful and of their pastors.
POPE BENEDICT XVI,

August 28, 2005

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