OCIA Session 16: Prayer I – Introduction to Catholic Prayer Forms

Welcome back, everyone! So far in Phase 2, we’ve looked at the sacraments, morality, Mary and the saints. Today, we shift gears to something that keeps all of this alive: prayer. Prayer is simply our relationship with God in action. It’s not just words we recite, it’s not just rituals we do - it’s a living conversation with the One who created us and loves us. But let’s be honest: prayer can feel awkward. Sometimes we wonder, Am I doing it right? Am I saying enough? Is God even listening? Take heart - every saint has struggled with prayer. The important thing is not perfection, but showing up.

What Prayer Is

The Catechism says prayer is “the raising of one’s mind and heart to God.” Notice: not just your words, but your whole self.

Prayer is both:

Talking to God - sharing joys, worries, needs.
Listening to God - being still, receiving His love and direction.

Prayer is less about technique and more about relationship.

Humor Break

Some people think prayer only counts if you say big, fancy words. Nope. One little girl once prayed: “God, I’m not sure if I spelled this right, but thank you anyway.” That’s good prayer!

Four Traditional Forms of Prayer

Catholic tradition gives us four basic forms of prayer - think of them as the “four food groups” of the spiritual life:

Adoration – Praising God simply for who He is.
Contrition – Asking forgiveness for our sins.
Thanksgiving – Expressing gratitude for blessings.
Supplication (Petition/Intercession) – Asking for what we need or praying for others.

The acronym ACTS (Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, Supplication) can help you remember.

Interactive Reflection

Take two minutes. Write one short prayer in each of these forms.

Adoration: “God, You are…”
Contrition: “Lord, I’m sorry for…”
Thanksgiving: “Thank You for…”
Supplication: “Please help…”

Congratulations - you’ve just prayed in four ways!

Catholic Prayer Forms

The Catholic Church is rich in prayer traditions. A few of the most common:

The Our Father – the prayer Jesus Himself taught us.
The Hail Mary – honoring Mary and asking her intercession.
The Rosary – meditating on the life of Christ.
Lectio Divina – praying with Scripture.
The Liturgy of the Hours – daily prayers prayed by clergy, religious, and many lay people.
Spontaneous Prayer – speaking freely to God in your own words.

Different forms fit different moments - like tools in a toolbox.

Humor Break #2

You know you’re Catholic when your idea of “spontaneous prayer” still starts with the Sign of the Cross.

Prayer in Daily Life

Prayer doesn’t have to be long or complicated. It can be woven into your day:

Morning offering when you wake up.
Grace before meals.
A quick “Thank You, Lord” when something good happens.
A “Help me, Lord” in stressful moments.
An examination of conscience before bed.

The goal isn’t to pray more words. The goal is to pray with your heart, throughout your day.

Parish Connection

Parish life offers lots of opportunities to grow in prayer:

Daily Mass and Sunday Mass.
Eucharistic Adoration.
Group Rosaries or novenas.
Parish retreats or holy hours.

The parish is your prayer school - a place where you learn not just from books, but from watching and joining others.

Interactive Activity

Pair up (or reflect quietly). Share: What kind of prayer feels most natural to you? What kind feels challenging? Why?

Overcoming Struggles

Every prayer life faces obstacles:

Distraction – Your mind wanders.
Dryness – Prayer feels empty.
Busyness – “I don’t have time.”

The saints faced these too. The answer isn’t to quit, but to persevere. Even showing up in dryness is itself a prayer of love.

Humor Break #3

St. Teresa of Avila once admitted she sometimes fell asleep during prayer. She said, “God loves me even when I snore.” That’s comforting, right?

Action Step

This week:

Set aside five minutes a day for prayer. No excuses. Choose a form that fits you.
Pray the Our Father slowly, reflecting on each phrase.
Before Sunday Mass, pray: “Lord, open my heart to hear Your Word and receive Your presence.”

Closing

Prayer is not about formulas. It’s about friendship with God. The more you practice, the more natural it becomes. Adoration, contrition, thanksgiving, supplication - these are just doorways to deeper relationship. Next time, we’ll continue with Prayer II - devotions like Adoration, novenas, and daily spiritual life. Until then, remember: don’t just fit prayer into your life. Let prayer shape your life. God is always listening. He’s just waiting for you to start the conversation.

next class:
OCIA Session 17: Prayer II – Adoration, Devotions, and Daily Spiritual Life