Q. 1101.  Why is mental prayer most useful to us?  A. Mental prayer is most useful to us because it compels us, while we are engaged in it, to keep our attention fixed on God and His holy laws and to keep our hearts and minds lifted up to Him.

Q. 1102.  How can we make a meditation?  A. We can make a meditation (1) By remembering that we are in the presence of God; (2) by asking the Holy Ghost to give us grace to benefit by the meditation; (3) by reflecting seriously on some sacred truth regarding our salvation; (4) by drawing some good resolution from the thoughts we have had; and (5) by thanking God for the knowledge and grace bestowed on us through the meditation.

Q. 1103.  Where may we find subjects or points for meditation?  A. We may find the subjects or points for meditation in the words of the Our Father, Hail Mary or Apostles’ Creed; also in the questions and answers of our Catechism, in the Holy Bible, and in books of meditation.

Q. 1104. {305} Is prayer necessary to salvation?  A. Prayer is necessary to salvation, and without it no one having the use of reason can be saved.

Q. 1105. {306} At what particular times should we pray?  A. We should pray particularly on Sundays and holy days, every morning and night, in all dangers, temptations, and afflictions.

Q. 1106. {307} How should we pray?  A. We should pray:  1st.  With attention; 2d.  With a sense of our own helplessness and dependence upon God; 3d.  With a great desire for the graces we beg of God; 4th.  With trust in God’s goodness; 5th.  With perseverance.

Q. 1107.  What should our attention at prayer be?  A. Our attention at prayer should be threefold, namely, attention to the words, that we may say them correctly and distinctly; attention to their meaning, if we understand it, and attention to God, to whom the words are addressed.

Q. 1108.  What should be the position of the body when we pray?  A. At prayer the most becoming position of the body is kneeling upright, but whether we pray kneeling, standing or sitting, the position of the body should always be one indicating reverence, respect and devotion.  We may pray even lying down or walking, for Our Lord Himself says we should pray at all times.

Q. 1109.  What should we do that we may pray well?  A. That we may pray well we should make a preparation before prayer:  (1) By calling to mind the dignity of God, to whom we are about to speak, and our own unworthiness to appear in His presence; (2) by fixing upon the precise grace or blessing for which we intend to ask; (3) by remembering God’s power and willingness to give if we truly need and earnestly, humbly and confidently ask.

Q. 1110.  Why does God not always grant our prayers?  A. God does not always grant our prayers for these and other reasons:  (1) Because we may not pray in the proper manner; (2) that we may learn our dependence on Him, prove our confidence in Him, and merit rewards by our patience and perseverance in prayer.  Prudent persons do not grant every request; why, then, should God do so?