The Presentation of Question 27 Chapter 13 : 3/4

How does In God's Love 
written by Janet Hurlow
relate to 
the Catholic Faith ?

  Chapter 13 We Pray  (continued) 3/4

        Part 2 Types of Prayer 

628          We should give God prayers of praise.  The Catechism states that “Prayer of praise is entirely disinterested and rises to God, lauds him, and gives him glory for his own sake, quite beyond what he has done, but simply because HE IS.”(108)   The messengers state that “Those of you who are praising God in time are praising Him for eternity.”(109)

629           We also should give God prayers of thanksgiving.  According to the Catechism “Every joy and suffering, every event and need can become the matter for thanksgiving which, sharing in that of Christ, should fill one's whole life: ‘Give thanks in all circumstances.’”(110)   The messengers state, “It is the time to thank God and praise Him for all His goodness.  This is the time to pray.”(111)   The messengers also tell us to give thanks for His gifts: “Praise God for His gifts.  His gifts are limitless.  They go on forever.”(112)

630           We are called to give God prayers of adoration.  The Catechism states that “Adoration is homage of the spirit to the "King of Glory,"<100> respectful silence in the presence of the "ever greater" God. <101>)”(113)   The messengers profoundly state, ““Some sit in God’s presence.  O such saints of Earth, to see God is life, and to live is to see God.”(114)  They also state, “Speak to God.  Tell Him it is your desire to do His will.  Tell him you love Him with a great love.  Rest in God’s love. Amen”(115)

631           The prayer of petition is a fourth type of prayer.  It has been mentioned that God gives us help at any and all times if we ask for it,(116)  and that we are to ask for help with each endeavor(117)  and ask for the Holy Spirit.(118)   It has already been mentioned that God is the answer to our prayerful questions, He understands us,(119)   and is merciful to us if we contritely ask for forgiveness.(120)   There are still more things to petition our Father for.

632           We can ask God to be with us.  In what the messengers call “the prayer of the saints”, they write, “Kind Jesus, Sacred Heart, it is in your Spirit I wish to remain forever.  Amen.”(121)   In looking at the whole of a person’s life, the messengers write, “He brought you through a world of ignorance (when you were an innocent child) to real danger.  He brought you through the sorrows of loss, poverty and material need.  He brought you through a period of a dark spirit.  He was there when you were happy, sad and lonely.  He went with you through life and death because you wanted Him to be with you.  Dear one, He is with you, and you are His child.  Come to Him, and He will comfort you.”(122)   The key phrase is that “you wanted Him to be with you.”  We express this desire in prayer.   

633           It is a good thing to ask to receive God, or to receive more of God, for if we do, it will be given.  As the messengers write, “It is time to seek out God and claim your heritage.  Only ask, and you shall receive.”(123)   They also write, “Become God’s vessels.  Take His Spirit.  His Spirit is sent to all who desire it; such gifts as God gives His very dear children.”(124)  

634           We should petition the Lord about the needs of the body and the spirit.  The messengers encourage us to be wise and “In God’s love, speak of the needs of the spirit, and speak of the body’s needs.  Combine your pleasures so well.  This works.”(125)   They also write, “Some people ask God to heal their bodies so that they can serve Him more fully.  ….  It is done.”(126)

635           We should petition the Lord for understanding.  The messengers write, “While you meditate, pray and ask God to help you understand.”(127)  
 
636           We should petition the Lord for our family and friends other people that we know.  The messengers suggest that we should “Keep talking to Him about your health, about your marriage, and about your kids .”(128)   In what the messengers call “the prayer of saints”, they write, “Take this poor heart of mine and comfort others on this road to Heaven.””(129)

637           We should petition the Lord for the conversion of souls.  The messengers write, “Reach out to each other.  Beings of God’s Spirit, pray.  Pray for souls who are not seen in God’s Spirit.”(130)    The messengers plead with us to “Seek your love, who is God.  Seek His will above all else and ask only this, ‘That those whom you love on the Earth shall turn their faces to God and come with you blessed ones.’”(131)   They encourage us to “Take your brother or sister’s hand and pray for the soul of mankind.”(132)   One final petition to mention is that we are to pray that God’s will be done, but this will be addressed in the discussion of the Lord’s Prayer.

            Part 3  Faith And Prayer
                      Section 1 Trust in God

638           We are to trust in God’s care.  The messengers write, “Trust in your Father. He cares and understands.  In this, take wisdom: your Father will very wisely take care of your needs.”(133)   For God is trustworthy: “Trust him.  How could anyone do otherwise?  When did God ever let people down?  He has fulfilled all promises,… God has never failed anyone.  Sons and daughters of Earth, have you ever thought about what God has done?  Have you ever thought about who He is and what He can do?”(134)   Sometimes it may seem as if our prayers are not answered, but, as has been mentioned, sometimes God answers prayers in ways we do not expect because He is wiser than we are and knows what He is doing.(135)

639           Like a loving parent’s relationship with their young children, the messengers write that “All He asks is our love and trust.”(136)   If we trust in Him completely, then the fears of our lives will be gone; “Set your hearts at ease.  In God’s Spirit, rest your spirits.  Nothing soothes and takes away fear as complete trust in God’s Spirit.”(137)

                      Section 2 Pray in the Midst of Strife

640           Our life is full of labor and tests.  In our labor we are to reach out to the Lord.  The messengers write, “Make your spirit reach out in Earth’s toil, and, as you reach out, sacred inspirations fill your heart.”(138)   In life there are many tests, but we need to trust in the Lord.  The Catechism tells us that “Filial trust is tested - it proves itself - in tribulation. <22>”.(139)The messengers assert that “Through everything, mankind is tested.  In all your sorrows, continue to believe this: God is your defense.”(140)  

641           We are to keep on praying during times of suffering: “Sing in such blessedness to your creator.  Sing sweetly, weary, little ones of God who sing in such suffering on the Earth.  Through such song, God is glorified on Earth.”(141)  They also write, “There are those weary souls of Earth who have lost many things and sing of those losses to God.  These souls, who have lost youth and beauty of mind and body are so lovely and so loved by God.  It is a sweet, sorrowful song they sing.”(142)  

642           When we plead with God in our suffering, He will be with us and comfort us.  In what the messengers call, “the prayer of saints” they write, “Most sacred heart of Jesus, comfort of those who love you, comfort us in our present sorrow.  We are your own, dear children, poor and needy in Earth’s toil.  Comfort us, sweet Jesus, in this sadness.  In your comfort, we can bear our pain.”(143)   God will be with us if we cry to Him in our sorrow: “When you are lonely, when you are weary, look in His eyes, take His hand. Never will you suffer alone. What a promise.  What a wonderful promise .”(144)   The messengers tell us that God will comfort us if we cry to Him, for they write, “Very pleased is God with you who suffer patiently in God’s love.  It is wise to come to God in this sorrow.  In His music, suffer.  Very quickly, your trail is smoothed out, and this long, sad cry is far behind you.  Call out, most beloved Saints.  God understands.  Why do you suffer alone in this sorrow?  Take His hand.  He is a kind God who blesses your suffering with such comfort and understanding."(145)

643           Our suffering can also have the benefit of forgiving sins.  The messengers write that while some pray for healing, “others offer their suffering to Him in remission for sins. It is done.”(146)

  The next section in Part Two   Chapter 13 : 4/4