Nature of Mental Prayer

1. What is prayer?

Prayer is an elevation of our soul toward God to render Him our homage.

2. How does the soul elevate itself toward God?

The soul elevates itself toward God by thinking of Him, loving Him, and conversing with Him.

3. What kinds of homage should we render to God?

We should render to God four kinds of homage: We should adore Him, beg His pardon for our sins, thank Him for His benefits, and petition His graces.

4. How many kinds of prayer are there?

There are two kinds of prayer: vocal prayer and mental prayer.

5. What is meant by vocal prayer?

By vocal prayer is meant every prayer performed by means of a given formula.

6. Why are such prayers called vocal prayers?

They are so called because ordinarily the voice is used in reciting them.

7. What is meant by mental prayer?

By mental prayer is meant every prayer performed without aid of any particular formula.

8. Why is this kind of prayer called mental prayer?

It is so called because it is made by the mind, generally without any articulation of words.

9. What is mental prayer ordinarily called?

It is ordinarily called meditation.

10. In what does mental prayer essentially consist?

Mental prayer essentially consists in thinking of God or of holy things, with the intention, at least virtual, of rendering Him our homage. Thus every pious thought, every pious desire, is a mental prayer.

11. Give a more complete definition of mental prayer.

Mental prayer is a pious communication of the soul with God by means of considerations, affections, and resolutions. Its object is to make us know, love, and serve God better, and to promote the knowledge of ourselves and the faithful discharge of our duties. In practice, therefore, it is the art of becoming better.

- taken from Catechism of Mental Prayer, by Father Joseph Simler