"St. John Damascene defines prayer as “the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of a suitable good," while St John Climacus views it as an “intimate conversation and union with God." 

Prayer is absolutely necessary for our spiritual life. It is, as it were, the “breathing" that permits the life of the spirit to develop. In prayer, our faith in God's presence and love is affirmed. Prayer fosters hope, which leads to directing our life towards God and trusting in his providence. It expands our heart to respond with love to divine Love.

Prayer issues from the very depths of our soul, from the “heart". We are led by the Holy Spirit to unite ourselves to Christ, teacher, model and path for all Christian prayer, and with Christ, through Christ and in Christ, we are drawn to God the Father, coming to share in the riches of the life of the Trinity. Hence the importance of the liturgy and, at its center, the Eucharist, in the life of prayer." (José Luis Illanes)