Would every prayer without pre-written words be called mental prayer?
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Some people people say that we have two kinds of prayer, i.e. vocal and mental prayer.
When I looked up the term mental prayer in Catholic dictionary I found this:
"The form of prayer in which the sentiments expressed are one's own and not those of another person and the expression of these sentiments is mainly, if not entirely, interior and not externalized."
When I looked up vocal prayer I found this: "The form of prayer that is a "conversation" with God, or the angels and saints, and is formed in words or equivalent symbols of expression. More technically, vocal prayer involves the use of some set formulas, since it is assumed that even when a person prays mentally he necessarily employs some form of at least internal speech."
It seems to me that Catholic dictionary says that mental prayer is simply prayers without pre-writtten words.
On the other hand it seems that it says that vocal prayer can refer to that things as well. It does say that vocal prayer sometimes refers to prayers with pre-written words.
It also seems to say that you can do vocal and mental prayer at the same time.
Would every prayer without pre-written words be called mental prayer?
Asked by harry jansson
(442 rep)
Aug 14, 2023, 06:41 PM
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