3.2 Ist Beten dasselbe wie Sprechen zu Gott?
Im Gebet spricht man nicht mit Gott, man baut eine Beziehung zu ihm auf. Wie in jeder Beziehung spielen Kommunikation und Liebe eine große Rolle. Dies übersteigt Gott bloß zu sagen was du (oder auch jemand anders) benötigst. Irgendwo tief in uns sehnt sich jedes menschliche Wesen nach der Liebe Gottes und möchte ihn besser kennenlernen.
Gott hofft innig, dass du ihn so lieben möchtest, wie er dich liebt. Somit ist beten nicht nur Gott um etwas zu bitten und mit ihm zu sprechen, sondern (und vor allem) ihm zuzuhören. In der Stille des Gebets kannst du dies aufmerksam tun.
What are the different forms of the prayer of petition?
It can be a petition for pardon or also a humble and trusting petition for all our needs either spiritual or material. The first thing to ask for, however, is the coming of the Kingdom. [CCCC 553]
Why should we petition God?
God, who knows us through and through, knows what we need. Nevertheless, God wants us to ask, to turn to him in times of need, to cry out, implore, lament, call upon him, indeed, even to struggle with him in prayer.
Certainly God does not need our petitions in order to help us. It is for our own sake that we are supposed to offer prayers of petition. Someone who does not ask and does not want to ask shuts himself up in himself. Only a person who asks opens himself and turns to the Author of all good. Someone who asks goes back home to God. Thus the prayer of petition brings man into the right relationship to God, who respects our freedom. [Youcat 486]
Christ is standing at the door of your heart (cf. Rev. 3:20)... But if you are to open the door so that Christ can shine on you (cf. Eph. 5:14), you must first hear him knocking. This means that every day you must escape from the turmoil of noise and confusion and, for a few minutes, be silent and calm... Even more than speaking, prayer is listening. The Father tells us: "This is my beloved Son, listen to him" (Mk. 9:7). Through prayer you will be enlightened, refreshed and strengthened for life’s journey. [Pope John Paul II, To youth in Uganda, 6 Feb. 1993]
