What is Prayer?

Let us learn from our Saints

St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) One of the key hallmarks of the spiritual heights of Saint Teresa of Avila
is the importance of prayer. Even though she struggled for many years she teaches us this basic but
indispensable spiritual truth—Perseverance in prayer: “We must have a determined determination to
never give up prayer.”

Saint Teresa of Avila gives us one of the classical definitions of prayer in the history of
Catholicism. “Prayer is nothing more than spending a long time alone with the one I know loves me.”

At the root of prayer is a relationship of love.

St. John Baptist de la Salle

We should have frequent recourse to prayer, and persevere a long time in it. God wishes to be solicited.
He did not grow weary of hearing us. The treasure of His graces is infinite. We can do nothing more
pleasing to him than to beg incessantly that He bestow them upon us. 

St. Isidore of Seville

Prayer purifies us, reading instructs us. ... If a man wants to be always in God's company, he must pray
regularly and read regularly. When we pray, we talk to God; when we read, God talks to us.

St Antony the Abbot

The devil dreads fasting, prayer, humility, and good works: he is not able even to stop my mouth who
speak against him. The illusions of the devil soon vanish, especially if a man arms himself with the Sign of
the Cross. The devils tremble at the Sign of the Cross of our Lord, by which He triumphed over and
disarmed them. 

St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi

Prayer ought to be humble, fervent, resigned, persevering, and accompanied with great reverence. One
should consider that he stands in the presence of a God, and speaks with a Lord before whom the angels
tremble from awe and fear.

St. Josemaria Escriva

You don't know how to pray? Put yourself in the presence of God, and as soon as you have said, 'Lord, I
don't know how to pray!" you can be sure you have already begun.' 

St. John Vianney

We do not have to talk very much in order to pray well. We know that God is there in His holy
tabernacle; let us open our hearts to Him; let us rejoice in His Presence: This is the best prayer.