37. THE ESSENTIALS OF PRAYER

37. THE ESSENTIALS OF PRAYER GUIDED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE CHURCH, WE LEARN TO PRAISE, THANK AND PRESENT OUR NEEDS TO GOD Compendium 548-565 Romans 8: 26-27 Psalm 145 The essentials of prayer are perfectly found in the Eucharist: Blessing, Adoration, Petition, Intercession, Thanksgiving and Praise. The prayer of Adoration acknowledges that we owe our very existence to God. In Petition we present our spiritual and material needs. Intercessory prayer includes not only our family and friends but all those in need and even for our enemies that they will be touched by the love of Christ. Eucharist means "Thanksgiving" and we join in Christ's perfect thanksgiving and Praise when we participate in this sacrament. With Baptism we receive the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity and we can and should strive to pray without ceasing. Prayer formulas help and guide us in pray. The Rosary is a powerful formula given to us by Mary, The Icon of prayer, and also the Magnificat. Parents are the first and most important and essential teachers of their children in the ways of faith.