What Is Prayer? A Look at Prayer Through Salvation History

October Reflection by Birgitt Hacker

Prayer is one of the most familiar words in our Catholic life, yet it points to one of the deepest mysteries of our faith: God, our loving Father, invites us into relationship with Him. The Catechism teaches that prayer is “the raising of one’s mind and heart to God” (CCC 2559). Even more beautifully, it reminds us that prayer is part of a living covenant relationship between God and His people (CCC 2564). Prayer is not simply saying words. It is listening, trusting, praising, thanking, repenting, and resting in the presence of the One who loves us.

Throughout salvation history, prayer begins not with human effort, but with God’s initiative. “Whether man welcomes or forgets God, the living and true God tirelessly calls each person” (CCC 2567). We see this clearly in Abraham, our father in faith. Abraham responded to God’s call with trust and obedience (see Genesis 12:1–4). Later, he interceded for the people of Sodom with remarkable boldness and humility (Genesis 18:22–33). In Abraham, we learn that prayer is both faithful surrender and loving intercession for others.

The story continues with Moses, one of the great models of prayer in the Old Testament. Scripture tells us that “the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as one man speaks to his friend” (Exodus 33:11). Moses repeatedly interceded for the people when they fall into sin, especially after the golden calf incident (Exodus 32:11–14). The Catechism presents Moses as an example of persevering prayer and intercession for the people God called Moses to lead (CCC 2574–2577). His example reminds us that prayer is not distant from daily life. It rises out of struggle, responsibility, suffering, and love for God’s people.

As Israel’s worship deepened, prayer took on a rich and poetic form in the Psalms. These inspired prayers express every human emotion: joy, sorrow, praise, thanksgiving, repentance, longing, and hope. “The Psalter is the book in which the Word of God becomes man’s prayer” (CCC 2587). In the Psalms, we discover that we do not need to hide our hearts from God. We can pray with confidence in times of peace and in moments of anguish: “The Lord is my shepherd” (Psalm 23), “Create in me a clean heart, O God” (Psalm 51:10), and “Let everything that breathes praise the Lord” (Psalm 150:6). The Church still prays the Psalms daily in the Liturgy of the Hours and in the Mass, showing that these ancient prayers remain the prayer of the Church today.

The prophets also teach us something essential about prayer. Elijah, for example, encountered God not in wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:11–13). The prophets continually called the people away from the empty rituals of paganism back to sincere worship, justice, and covenant faithfulness (see Isaiah 29:13). True prayer must come from the heart. It is not performance. It is conversion and sincere conversaton. It draws us back to God and reshapes the way we live.

In the fullness of time, Jesus Christ revealed prayer in its perfection. Jesus not only taught prayer—He prays. He withdrew to deserted places to pray (Mark 1:35), blessed the Father, gave thanks, and prayed in moments of sorrow and surrender. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He prays, “Not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). On the Cross, He entrusted Himself completely to the Father (Luke 23:46). The Catechism says that in Jesus, “the drama of prayer is fully revealed to us” (CCC 2598). When the disciples ask, “Lord, teach us to pray,” Jesus gave them the Our Father (Luke 11:1–4; CCC 2759–2865). In this prayer, we learn adoration, trust, dependence, forgiveness, and desire for God’s kingdom.

After the Resurrection and Pentecost, the early Church became a visibly praying community. Acts tells us that the first Christians “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42). Christian prayer is therefore both personal and communal. We pray in the quiet of our hearts, but also together at Mass, in our families, in classrooms, and in parish life. Above all, the Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life” (CCC 1324), the Church’s highest prayer is the Mass, in which Christ unites us to His perfect offering to the Father.

Prayer is like the breaths we take that are essential to sustaining our life. When we pray, we become part of the story of God’s love—a love story stretching from Abraham and Moses, through the Psalms and the prophets, to Jesus and His Church.

Prayer is the living relationship of God’s children with their Father (CCC 2565). It is the humble opening of our heart to God, who first calls us, remains with us, and invites us into communion with Him. Throughout salvation history, prayer has formed God’s people. It still does today.

References

•            Catechism of the Catholic Church: 2558–2565, 2567, 2570–2577, 2585–2589, 2598–2605, 2759–2865, 1324

•            Scripture: Genesis 12:1–4; Genesis 18:22–33; Exodus 32:11–14; Exodus 33:11; Psalm 23; Psalm 51; Psalm 150; 1 Kings 19:11–13; Isaiah 29:13; Mark 1:35; Luke 11:1–4; Luke 22:42; Luke 23:46; Acts 2:42

5 Ways to Teach Children to Pray

1. Teach simple, familiar prayers.

Begin with the Sign of the Cross, the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Glory Be. These foundational prayers help children become comfortable speaking to God and connect them to the prayer life of the Church.

2. Help them speak to God in their own words.

Children should learn that prayer is not only memorized words, but also a personal conversation with God. Encourage them to thank God, ask for help, pray for others, and tell Him what is on their hearts.

3. Use Scripture as a doorway to prayer.

A short Gospel story, a psalm verse, or a simple image from Scripture can help children enter prayer more deeply. Ask questions like: What do you notice? What would you like to say to Jesus?

4. Teach by example.

Children learn prayer best by seeing adults pray. When parents, teachers, and catechists pray with reverence, joy, and consistency, children discover that prayer is a real and important part of everyday life.

5. Create a regular rhythm of prayer.

Prayer grows through habit. Pray before meals and at the end the day by thanking God. Even a few moments each day help children see prayer as a natural part of life.

A simple reminder:

The goal is not only to teach children prayers, but to help them grow in a relationship with God.