Prayer

The dictionary meaning of prayer is “a spiritual communion with God or an object of worship, as in supplication, thanksgiving, adoration, or confession.” Prayer is the act or practice of praying to God or an object of worship.

Traditionally, Catholic prayers fall into four types:

Adoration: Praising God.

Contrition: Asking for God's forgiveness.

Petition: Asking God for a favour.

Thanksgiving: Showing God gratitude.

The most important characteristic of Carmelite spirituality is living in God's presence. This relationship with God takes shape in prayer. Thus, the heart of Carmelite life rests in faithfulness to community and solitary prayer.

Prayer is an important part of Carmelite life. We are called upon to pray daily.

It is important to reserve every day a little time to read or listen to the Word of God. If one stops praying, it is difficult to get back into a rhythm. In fact when this spirituality enters the heart, where the intimate conversation with God happens, it becomes mental prayer.

Prayer is at the very heart of the Carmelite vocation. Through praying alone and together as a community, Carmelites seek to communion with God.

“For prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God.” ― St. Teresa of Avila

 For St. Teresa, prayer is simply friendship with Jesus. Real prayer is nothing other than the expression of a relationship of friends. She says: “Humility is the principal virtue that people who pray.”

In the works of St. Teresa of Avila we are shown the importance of prayer as friendship; in St. John of the Cross how we are led as God's people from selfishness to joy.

“The important thing in prayer is not to think much but to love much” [Interior Castle, 4, 1, 7].