Expert: Edward Bode - 6/26/2006

Question
What is the official Catholic view of prayer? I mean, I know that we are encouraged to pray that God brings certain things to pass, i.e. heals a sick person, brings peace on earth, etc., but do Catholics believe that God speaks to us in some way? I ask because I spend a lot of time around Pentecostals who are always saying that they'll pray to God for guidance for a certain decision they have to make and then eventually they will say that God told them the answer. I know that the Church believes that God has spoken directly to certain individuals through history (Joan of Arc, St. Theresa, etc.) but does the Church teach that God will speak to us, whether directly or through feelings, impulses or whatever, if we pray for an answer or guidance?

Answer
Prayer is raising one'mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God; so said St. John Damascene.
Jesus taught us to pray and to include our petitions.
St. Ignatius Loyola in his Spiritual Exercises gives ways to test whether the message coming in prayer is truly from the Holy Spirit.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church has a lengthy section  on prayer [parapgraphs 2558ff].  See especially, paragraphs 2634-2636,2735-2741.
You can find the catechism online at www.nccbuscc.org/catechism/text/index.htm
I am not sure that I have adquately spoken to your concerns.  So, please feel free to write again.
In the meantime, best wishes, Andrew.