Prayer is an uplifting of the heart, a glance towards heaven, a cry of gratitude and love in times of sorrow as well as joy.

What do Catholics typically pray for?

• to make sense of life, particularly in difficult times
• for peace in the world
• for healing from sickness
• for inspiration and support from saints of the Church
• in thanks for the astonishing gifts of life and love
• Even to find lost objects

Genuine prayer is rooted in the belief that God is with us – God is on our side – that we have a gentle and gracious God who is passionately in love with us. In prayer, within this Catholic Christian tradition, believers open themselves and unite themselves to a love which is the source of all reality and learn to share that love with others.

Come Holy Spirit,

fill the hearts of your faithful

and kindle in them the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created;

and you will renew the face of the Earth.

Amen