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Types of Prayer
VOCAL PRAYER
The form of prayer that is a "conversation" with God, or the angels and saints, and is formed
in words or equivalent symbols of expression. More technically, vocal prayer involves the use
of some set formulas, since it is assumed that even when a person prays mentally he
necessarily employs some form of at least internal speech. So that in practice the distinction
between mental and vocal prayer is more a matter of emphasis, whether one's own
unrehearsed sentiments predominate (mental prayer) or a person rather employs verbal
expressions that are not, at the time, the immediate product of communication with God
(vocal prayer). (Etym. Latin vocalis, speaking, talking; from vox, voice.)
SPONTANEOUS PRAISE
“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!” (Psalm 150:6). In this type of prayer we
practice the exercise of giving God praise and glory which is due to our incredible Creator.
Though this practice may be challenging at first, the Holy Spirit is very present amidst
worship and God “inhabits the praise of His people.”
SINGING
“He who sings,” said St. Augustine, “prays twice.” The holy Bishop of
Hippo meant that singing adds to our praise and worship of God—that
our voices are gifts, with which we can make music to the Lord. Sung
prayer expresses the joy of the heart, the happiness resulting from one
who has encountered Jesus Christ and experienced his love. Sung
prayer reminds us of the choirs of heaven, with whom we are called to
praise God eternally in heaven.
Sung prayer reaches its high point in the sacred liturgy, the public
worship of the Church. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is made more beautiful by the singing
of every Catholic, who is called to active participation—through sung prayer, especially—in
the Mass.
THE DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET
Meet Saint Maria Faustina. In the 1930s, Jesus revealed Himself to a simple and holy nun,
Sister Faustina of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Poland.
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