RCIA – Additional Session B

Prayer — How the Catholic Faith Is Lived Daily

RCIA – Additional Session B
This session forms part of a structured introduction to the Catholic Faith used in parish RCIA. It is intended to be read slowly and prayerfully, alongside participation in the life of the Church. This material is offered for formation and reflection. Reception into the Catholic Church always involves personal discernment and parish accompaniment.

Aim of this session

By the end of this session, participants should understand that:

  • prayer is relationship, not technique
  • the Church teaches us how to pray
  • prayer is necessary, not optional
  • dryness does not mean failure
  • prayer sustains faith

This session answers:

How does a Catholic actually pray?

1. Why Prayer Is Necessary

Prayer is not:

  • emotional expression only
  • crisis response
  • optional devotion

Prayer is:

living relationship with God.

Without prayer:

  • faith becomes theory
  • morality becomes burden
  • worship becomes routine

2. What Prayer Is

Prayer is:

  • speaking to God
  • listening to God
  • placing oneself before God

Prayer is not measured by feelings.
It is measured by fidelity.

3. Forms of Prayer

The Church recognises:

  • vocal prayer (spoken prayer)
  • mental prayer (reflection and meditation)
  • liturgical prayer (the Church praying)

The highest prayer is not private.
It is the prayer of the Church.

4. The Our Father

The Our Father teaches us:

  • who God is
  • what to ask for
  • how to trust

Every prayer flows from this pattern.

5. Difficulty in Prayer

Difficulty does not mean:

  • prayer is failing
  • God is absent

Often it means:

prayer is deepening

Faithfulness matters more than feeling.

6. Closing Reflection

If God desires relationship with me, where do I make space for Him daily?