“In these days [Jesus] went out into the hills to pray; and all night he continued in prayer to God. He was praying in a certain place, and when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray’” (Luke 6:12; 11:1).

Jesus is our Master in prayer. He not only teaches us how to pray, he is himself the way of Christian prayer since our prayers have access to God the Father “only if we pray ‘in the name’ of Jesus” (CCC 2664).

Prayer is itself an infinite and boundless mystery that wells up from the heart in our desire for God—a desire God himself has placed there out of love. St. Thérèse de Lisieux described it this way: “For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.”

Prayer is of vital importance because it brings us into a saving relationship with the One whom our heart desires. As faith in Christ is required for salvation, so too is prayer since it brings us into contact with God.

But what does it mean to pray as a Christian in the heart of the Church? In this section of the program titled “Christian Prayer,” we explore the depths of prayer, including what prayer is, what it means to pray, and how we ought to pray as Christians.

In this series of lessons, you’ll learn about the fourth pillar of the faith as it’s presented in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Here are some of the topics covered:

  • Prayer in the Old Testament
  • The prayer of Jesus and what Jesus teaches us about prayer
  • Prayer in the Church and praying in communion with the Virgin Mary
  • Expressions of prayer
  • Lectio Divina and the Liturgy of the Hours
  • The battle of prayer
  • Praying for deliverance from evil spirits
  • Stages in the life of prayer according to the Catholic tradition
  • Praying the Lord’s prayer and the meaning of its seven petitions


From all of us at Catholic Online School: May Christ bless you on your journey of faith.


“Christian Prayer" is broken up into different chapters. 

In this course, students will work through Chapter 1.

Students will cover - 

  • Course 1 - God Calls Us to Prayer
  • Course 2 - Prayer in the New Testament
  • Course 3 - Praying in Communion with Mary


Earning a certificate of completion in this online course is not a substitute for completing a parish-based RCIA program. The Sacraments of Initiation can only be conferred by a bishop or priest. This certificate means you have successfully completed a course of study that is intended to supplement your parish RCIA program.

Course curriculum

  • 01

    Introduction to RCIA - For Adults - Christian Prayer - Chapter 1 with 'Certificate of Completion'

    • How to get your 'Certificate of Completion'
  • 02

    RCIA - Christian Prayer - Course 1 - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 1 - What is Prayer?

    • INTRODUCTION - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 1 - What is Prayer?

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 1 - What is Prayer?

    • OPENING PRAYER - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 1 - What is Prayer?

    • SCRIPTURE READING - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 1 - What is Prayer?

    • VIDEO - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 1 - What is Prayer?

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 1 - What is Prayer?

    • CLOSING PRAYER - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 1 - What is Prayer?

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 1 - What is Prayer?

    • QUIZ - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 1 - What is Prayer?

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 1 - What is Prayer?

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 03

    RCIA - Christian Prayer - Course 1 - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 2 - Prayer in the Old Testament from Abraham to Moses

    • INTRODUCTION - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 2 - Prayer in the Old Testament from Abraham to Moses

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 2 - Prayer in the Old Testament from Abraham to Moses

    • OPENING PRAYER - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 2 - Prayer in the Old Testament from Abraham to Moses

    • SCRIPTURE READING - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 2 - Prayer in the Old Testament from Abraham to Moses

    • VIDEO - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 2 - Prayer in the Old Testament from Abraham to Moses

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 2 - Prayer in the Old Testament from Abraham to Moses

    • CLOSING PRAYER - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 2 - Prayer in the Old Testament from Abraham to Moses

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 2 - Prayer in the Old Testament from Abraham to Moses

    • QUIZ - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 2 - Prayer in the Old Testament from Abraham to Moses

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 2 - Prayer in the Old Testament from Abraham to Moses

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 04

    RCIA - Christian Prayer - Course 1 - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 3 - Prayer in the Old Testament: Hannah, King David, and Elijah

    • INTRODUCTION - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 3 - Prayer in the Old Testament: Hannah, King David, and Elijah

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 3 - Prayer in the Old Testament: Hannah, King David, and Elijah

    • OPENING PRAYER - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 3 - Prayer in the Old Testament: Hannah, King David, and Elijah

    • SCRIPTURE READING - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 3 - Prayer in the Old Testament: Hannah, King David, and Elijah

    • VIDEO - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 3 - Prayer in the Old Testament: Hannah, King David, and Elijah

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 3 - Prayer in the Old Testament: Hannah, King David, and Elijah

    • CLOSING PRAYER - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 3 - Prayer in the Old Testament: Hannah, King David, and Elijah

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 3 - Prayer in the Old Testament: Hannah, King David, and Elijah

    • QUIZ - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 3 - Prayer in the Old Testament: Hannah, King David, and Elijah

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 3 - Prayer in the Old Testament: Hannah, King David, and Elijah

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 05

    RCIA - Christian Prayer - Course 1 - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 4 - Praying the Psalms

    • INTRODUCTION - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 4 - Praying the Psalms

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 4 - Praying the Psalms

    • OPENING PRAYER - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 4 - Praying the Psalms

    • SCRIPTURE READING - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 4 - Praying the Psalms

    • VIDEO - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 4 - Praying the Psalms

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 4 - Praying the Psalms

    • CLOSING PRAYER - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 4 - Praying the Psalms

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 4 - Praying the Psalms

    • QUIZ - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 4 - Praying the Psalms

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - God Calls Us To Prayer - Lesson 4 - Praying the Psalms

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 06

    RCIA - Christian Prayer - Course 2 - Prayer in the New Testament - Lesson 1 - The Prayer of Jesus

    • INTRODUCTION - Prayer in the New Testament - Lesson 1 - The Prayer of Jesus

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - Prayer in the New Testament - Lesson 1 - The Prayer of Jesus

    • OPENING PRAYER - Prayer in the New Testament - Lesson 1 - The Prayer of Jesus

    • SCRIPTURE READING - Prayer in the New Testament - Lesson 1 - The Prayer of Jesus

    • VIDEO - Prayer in the New Testament - Lesson 1 - The Prayer of Jesus

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - Prayer in the New Testament - Lesson 1 - The Prayer of Jesus

    • CLOSING PRAYER - Prayer in the New Testament - Lesson 1 - The Prayer of Jesus

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - Prayer in the New Testament - Lesson 1 - The Prayer of Jesus

    • QUIZ - Prayer in the New Testament - Lesson 1 - The Prayer of Jesus

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - Prayer in the New Testament - Lesson 1 - The Prayer of Jesus

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 07

    RCIA - Christian Prayer - Course 2 - Prayer in the New Testament - Lesson 2 - Jesus Teaches Us to Pray

    • INTRODUCTION - Prayer in the New Testament - Lesson 2 - Jesus Teaches Us to Pray

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - Prayer in the New Testament - Lesson 2 - Jesus Teaches Us to Pray

    • OPENING PRAYER - Prayer in the New Testament - Lesson 2 - Jesus Teaches Us to Pray

    • SCRIPTURE READING - Prayer in the New Testament - Lesson 2 - Jesus Teaches Us to Pray

    • VIDEO - Prayer in the New Testament - Lesson 2 - Jesus Teaches Us to Pray

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - Prayer in the New Testament - Lesson 2 - Jesus Teaches Us to Pray

    • CLOSING PRAYER - Prayer in the New Testament - Lesson 2 - Jesus Teaches Us to Pray

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - Prayer in the New Testament - Lesson 2 - Jesus Teaches Us to Pray

    • QUIZ - Prayer in the New Testament - Lesson 2 - Jesus Teaches Us to Pray

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - Prayer in the New Testament - Lesson 2 - Jesus Teaches Us to Pray

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 08

    RCIA - Christian Prayer - Course 2 - Prayer in the New Testament - Lesson 3 - Prayer in the Church

    • INTRODUCTION - Prayer in the New Testament - Lesson 3 - Prayer in the Church

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - Prayer in the New Testament - Lesson 3 - Prayer in the Church

    • OPENING PRAYER - Prayer in the New Testament - Lesson 3 - Prayer in the Church

    • SCRIPTURE READING - Prayer in the New Testament - Lesson 3 - Prayer in the Church

    • VIDEO - Prayer in the New Testament - Lesson 3 - Prayer in the Church

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - Prayer in the New Testament - Lesson 3 - Prayer in the Church

    • CLOSING PRAYER - Prayer in the New Testament - Lesson 3 - Prayer in the Church

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - Prayer in the New Testament - Lesson 3 - Prayer in the Church

    • QUIZ - Prayer in the New Testament - Lesson 3 - Prayer in the Church

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - Prayer in the New Testament - Lesson 3 - Prayer in the Church

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 09

    RCIA - Christian Prayer - Course 3 - Praying in Communion with Mary - Lesson 1 - Praying with the Virgin Mary: The Hail Mary Prayer

    • INTRODUCTION - Praying in Communion with Mary - Lesson 1 - Praying with the Virgin Mary: The Hail Mary Prayer

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - Praying in Communion with Mary - Lesson 1 - Praying with the Virgin Mary: The Hail Mary Prayer

    • OPENING PRAYER - Praying in Communion with Mary - Lesson 1 - Praying with the Virgin Mary: The Hail Mary Prayer

    • SCRIPTURE READING - Praying in Communion with Mary - Lesson 1 - Praying with the Virgin Mary: The Hail Mary Prayer

    • VIDEO - Praying in Communion with Mary - Lesson 1 - Praying with the Virgin Mary: The Hail Mary Prayer

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - Praying in Communion with Mary - Lesson 1 - Praying with the Virgin Mary: The Hail Mary Prayer

    • CLOSING PRAYER - Praying in Communion with Mary - Lesson 1 - Praying with the Virgin Mary: The Hail Mary Prayer

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - Praying in Communion with Mary - Lesson 1 - Praying with the Virgin Mary: The Hail Mary Prayer

    • QUIZ - Praying in Communion with Mary - Lesson 1 - Praying with the Virgin Mary: The Hail Mary Prayer

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - Praying in Communion with Mary - Lesson 1 - Praying with the Virgin Mary: The Hail Mary Prayer

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

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Instructor(s)

Instructor Bio:

Deacon Frederick Bartels is a member of the Catholic clergy who serves the Church in the diocese of Pueblo, CO. He received an MA in Theology and Educational Ministry from Catholic Distance University, where he is currently employed as an adjunct professor of theology. He is founder and editor of Joy In Truth (joyintruth.com), an online magazine dedicated to the New Evangelization. As a Catholic educator, public speaker and evangelist, Deacon Bartels strives to infuse culture with the saving principles of the gospel. He lives in Colorado with his wife, Shelly, and the youngest two of their six children. Professor Bartels is Chairman of the Theology Department.

Deacon Frederick Bartels

Professor of Theology, Department Chair