Lord, teach us to pray. (Luke 11:1)

Prayer is a gift from God and is traditionally defined as “the raising of the heart and mind to God." Prayer is a two-way conversation (speaking and listening) with God and should be with dispositions of humility, trust and perseverance (Mt. 7:7-11, Lk 18:9-14, Jn 14: 12-13). The examples of the saints tell us that frequent personal prayer is essential for growth in holiness and growth of the life of Christ within us.

The National Directory of Catechesis states “catechesis for prayer begins when children see and hear others praying and whey they pray with others, especially in the family. … From infancy children should be enculturated into the daily prayer life of the family, thereby learning the prayers and prayer forms of the Catholic tradition and becoming accustomed to praying daily.”

St. Paul urges the early Christians to pray without ceasing (1 Thes 5:17). Parents model this by allowing their children to see them pray anywhere, and at anytime. As children grow, they learn about different forms and types of prayers, beginning with their short spontaneous prayers to the more traditional prayers of our Catholic faith. The Diocese of Fort Wayne/South Bend has created guidelines to help parents, as primary educators of the faith*, help foster their child's prayer life and nurture their relationship with God.

* Catechism of the Catholic Church § 2223