The 3 Main Uses of Formal Prayer

Formal prayer is often frowned upon by many, not just Protestants but even some Catholics.

But formal, pre-written prayer is not useless.

Here’s what noted theologian and Catholic professor Peter Kreeft says are the three main uses of formal prayer (In his book Your Questions God’s Answers):

1. To offer public, group worship in unity
2. As something like a song you would sing to your beloved
3. As a beginning for personal prayer (a runway for the airplane of your personal prayer to take off from)

The next time you’re in a group that’s praying in a formal way, know that there’s a purpose to the prayer that’s being prayed.

The next time you need a runway which can get your personal prayer off the ground, use formal prayer.

The next time you want to sing God a loving song, use formal prayer (or an actual song).