PRAYER IS TALKING TO GOD: THE SECRET TO BECOMING HOLY

 

Talking to God: The Secret to Becoming Holy

What is prayer?

Hello everyone. Do you know what prayer really is? Prayer is simply talking to God. Just like you talk to your mom, dad, or best friend, God wants you to talk to Him too. And the best part? He's always listening.

Why do we pray?

We pray because we love God and want to be close to Him. Just as talking with someone brings you closer, prayer brings your heart closer to God's heart.

Did you know the saints became holy by praying every day?

Prayer helps us:

• say thank you to God for what God has given and done  (this is the prayer of thanksgiving)
• say sorry when we mess up and ask God for forgiveness (this is the prayer of contrition or repentance)
• ask for help when we need it (this is the prayer of petition or supplication)
• ask for what others need on their behalf (prayer of intercession)
• bless and adore God for being so wonderful (prayer of praise)
• Just tell God what’s on our minds (prayer which is the act of speaking to God privately and deeply. The prayer of talking to God is communication with God, much like a conversation between friends. It can include sharing thoughts, feelings and needs, or simply expressing gratitude and praise. Prayer is spending time with our very best Friend, God.)

 How prayer makes us holy

Have you ever seen a plant grow with water and sunshine? That’s like our soul! Prayer is the sunshine and water for your soul. Without prayer, we dry up and stay small. But with prayer, we grow and grow – into saints!

Every time you pray, you become more like Jesus. The more you become like Jesus, the holier you become. God sent Jesus His Son to earth, so that we could learn how to behave beautifully like wonderful Jesus. Read about Jesus' Life in the four gospels. If we model ourselves on Jesus (that is, try to behave the way He does), we will become saints and able to spend our lives in Heaven with God after our time here on earth has come to an end.

Ways to pray every day

• morning prayers: “Good morning, Jesus! Please help me today”
• before meals: Thank God for your food. One such prayer is the grace before meals: "Bless us O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord, Amen." The grace (or prayer) after meals is, "We give Thee thanks, O Almighty God, for all Thy benefits, which we have received through Christ our Lord, Amen."
• at bedtime: tell God what made you happy and what you need help with. Pray for your family and friends, and for everyone in the world, especially for those most in need of Jesus' help
• the rosary: try even just one decade. If possible, pray the rosary with your family 
• silent time: sit quietly for a while and say, “Jesus, I love You.”

 STORIES OF PRAYER

Example of a saint:

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux was just a little girl like some of you. She talked to God with so much love, even in little things. And guess what? She became a saint!

You can become a saint too!

You don’t have to do big miracles or be super famous. You just have to love Jesus with your whole heart—and talk to Him every day.

Do you want to be holy like the saints? Then read about the saints, and learn to follow Jesus with great love in your heart, as they did. What will you say to Jesus when you get home today? That is prayer!

Closing prayer

Let us pray together:

“Dear Jesus, thank You for loving me. Help me to talk to You every day. I want to be holy and close to You, just like the saints. Amen.”

Image inspiration courtesy of ChatGPT and CN Whittle