St. Hedwig, Widow

Baltimore track

Baltimore Catechism No. 3

Lesson 28 — On Prayer

Q. 1106.How should we pray?

A.We should pray: 1st. With attention; 2d. With a sense of our own helplessness and dependence upon God; 3d. With a great desire for the graces we beg of God; 4th. With trust in God's goodness; 5th. With perseverance.

Q. 1107.What should our attention at prayer be?

A.Our attention at prayer should be threefold, namely, attention to the words, that we may say them correctly and distinctly; attention to their meaning, if we understand it, and attention to God, to whom the words are addressed.

Q. 1108.What should be the position of the body when we pray?

A.At prayer the most becoming position of the body is kneeling upright, but whether we pray kneeling, standing or sitting, the position of the body should always be one indicating reverence, respect and devotion. We may pray even lying down or walking, for Our Lord Himself says we should pray at all times.

Q. 1109.What should we do that we may pray well?

A.That we may pray well we should make a preparation before prayer: (1) By calling to mind the dignity of God, to whom we are about to speak, and our own unworthiness to appear in His presence; (2) by fixing upon the precise grace or blessing for which we intend to ask; (3) by remembering God's power and willingness to give if we truly need and earnestly, humbly and confidently ask.