To be ready for the Mission we have as Catholics, there are several things we can do to prepare, but also to renew our faith and remain engaged. Here are some ideas to help you on your way:

 
Prayer – What is it?

It is a way to enter a relationship with God. In other words, by praying we are entering into a conversation with Him. In the same way that talking to a friend deepens our friendship, speaking with God through prayer deepens our relationship with Him. Just like in a regular conversation, prayer should include times of speaking, and times of listening; God wants to speak to us also! We can pray individually no matter where we are, or in community at specific times (for example, at mass or as part of a prayer group).

How do I pray?

There are many ways to pray, and different people prefer different styles. Prayer, at its most simple, is a conversation between us and God in our words; you don’t need a script to pray. You can say what’s on your heart, listen to prayerful music, or even sit in silence.

There are other more formal ways to pray too. These are especially helpful when we are struggling to find the words, feel overwhelmed, or want to refresh our prayer life. See the next section for suggested forms of prayer.

One of the best ways to pray is through scripture, which is God’s word to us. This is called Lectio Divina. It involves: reading (lectio), meditation (meditatio), prayer (oratio), and contemplation (contemplatio).