AKSGNZ
11th July 2012 by Daniel Castello
Outline:
•The characteristics of prayer
•The effectiveness of prayer
•The action of prayer; transmission of thought
Characteristics :
•The Spirit’s Book:
•659. What is the general character of prayer?
“Prayer is an act of adoration. To pray to God is to think of Him, to get
closer to Him, to put oneself in communication with Him. He who prays
may propose to himself three things: to praise, to ask, and to thank.”
•Gospels:
•1. When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites who take pleasure in
standing in the synagogues and on street corners, praying in order to be
seen by men. Verily, I say to you, they have received their reward. But
when you want to pray, go to your room, and with your door closed,
pray to your Father in secret; and your Father, who sees what happens
in secret, will reward you. Do not feign to pray much in your prayers as
do the heathen, who think they will be heard because of their many
words. Do not become like them, because your Father knows what you
need before you ask him (Matthew, 6: 5-8).
•When you present yourself to pray, if you have something against
someone, forgive him so that your Father in heaven may forgive you
sins also. If you do not forgive, your Father in heaven will not forgive
your sins either. (Mk. 11 25:26)
•Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee; the other
a publican. The Pharisee stood up and prayed like this: My God, I give
you thanks because I am not like other men, who are thieves,
unrighteous and adulterers, nor am I like this publican. I fast twice and
I give a tenth of all I possess. The publican, on the other hand, kept his
distance and did not even dare to lift his eyes to heaven; but he beat his
breast, saying, “My God, have mercy on me, sinner that I am.”
I tell you that this one returned to his house justified, whereas the other
did not, for everyone who raises himself will be humbled and everyone
who humbles himself will be lifted up. (Lk. 18:9-14)
•According to Jesus:
•Place ?
Your room = your heart;
•Words (number, style,…)?
Be sincere;
•Getting ready for prayer ?
Self-analysis: deffects, good qualities, sincerity…
Effectiveness:
•Gospel:
•Whatever you may ask for in prayer, believe you will receive it, and it willbe granted to you. (Mk. 11:24)
•Have faith in God. I assure you that whoever tells this mountain to get up and throw itself in the sea and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. (Mk. 11: 22-23)
•How to interpret: “Whatever you may ask for in prayer, believe you will receive it, and it will be granted to you. ” ?
•What are our real needs?
• What is our goal in this planet?
•What will God grant us if we ask with trust ?
•Courage, patience and resignation;
•Flow of new and healthy ideas suggested by good spirits;
•What is the most effective way to get help from God ?
•God helps those who help themselves, according to this maxim: “Help yourself and heaven will help you.”
•Help yourself … (Joana de Angellis)
•Medical treatment;
•Physical activities;
•Enlightening reading and leisuring;
•Self-education: forgive yourself, love yourself, …
•Prayers;
•Practice charity: impress motion to your love;
•Positive thoughts (always in the present tense) aiming at obtaining
strength, self-confidence, patience, faith, …