Prayer of praise help the faithful see God's plan, Pope tells audience
June 20, 2012
At his weekly public audience on June 20, Pope Benedict XVI continued his catechesis on prayer, saying that prayers of petition should be mixed with prayers of praise.
"Our prayers are often a request for help in our hour of need,” the Pope observed to the crowd gathered at midday in the Paul VI auditorium. While it is natural to ask for God’s help, he said, “that is not the only reason to pray.”
The Pontiff illustrated his point by citing the words of St. Paul in his Letter to the Ephesians, where he praises God “because He has made known to us the mystery of his will.” In this context, the Pope said, the “mystery” refers not so much to the unknown as to the unfathomable mercy of God. In fact, the Pope continued, the will of God has been made manifest, revealed in Christ.
"In prayer we learn to see the signs of this merciful plan in the journey of the Church," the Pope said.
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