People who believe in prayer: Does prayer primarily change the world or change the person who is praying?
Prayer changes the person who prays and God, in answer to the prayer, influences the world. Prayer is the elevation of the mind and heart to God: + In praise of his glory + In petition for some desired good + In thanksgiving for a good received + In intercession for others before God Through prayer the Christian experiences a communion with God through Christ in the Church. “For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.” (St. Thérèse of Lisieux) “Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God.” (St. John Damascene) But when we pray, do we speak from the height of our pride and will, or “out of the depths” of a humble and contrite heart? (Psalm 130:1) He who humbles himself will be exalted; humility is the foundation of prayer. Only when we humbly acknowledge that “we do not know how to pray as we ought,” are we ready to receive freely
