Catholic prayer cards are also known as holy cards which serve as religious artefacts that helps a person to involve in a prayer to enhance the faith according to catholic tradition. Prayer cards are devotional items which are in the size of a playing card in which is depicted a religious scene or a saint. The reverse contains a prayer that could be recited by the person. The history of the praying card dates back to the 15th century when small hand made prayer cards were used to assist in prayer.
Using prayer cards is a significant spiritual practice of a catholic which helps in personal devotion. The prayer card benefits are bringing a sense of spiritual alignment with God which in turn elicit feelings of gratitude, hope, compassion and forgiveness. These positive feelings gained by prayer cards create a sense of peace and wellbeing. To begin with one can start with a prayer card of a saint or holy figure like Hail Mary and then move on to other saints.
Prayer cards offer a tangible way to connect with our faith and serve as visual aids to guide our prayers. Various types of Prayer cards are available as per our wish like Saint Prayer cards, Guardian Angel cards, Virgin Mary cards, Jesus Christ cards, Holy Family cards, Communion cards, Marriage cards, Novena cards and Pope cards. This symbolism in Catholic prayer cards helps a person to choose a card according to the occasion.
In our busy lives it is highly important to allocate a time for prayer to nurture our faith and relationship with God. Incorporating prayer cards into our daily routine is a beneficial religious practice which leads to happiness and holistic feeling. During times of confusion and difficulties meditating with prayer cards indeed guides us to a positive solution. Intercessory prayers with saints can certainly evoke a sense of closeness with the divine spirit. Prayer cards with different saints and prayers can be rotated on different times as per the significance of the occasion.
Communal Worship is one in which more people assemble to gather to pray for a certain reason. The rosary, novenas, litanies, classroom prayers, and the Holy Mass are examples of communal worship where prayer cards are very beneficial for people to pray for a single cause with single mindedness. Distributing prayer cards during religious events or ceremonies is of very much help to focus and pray for a specific issue due to the large number of devotees present. It is through Communal Worship that we share each other’s faith experiences and learn the skills of prayer and reflection. It is a way of deepening our relationship with God together and individually.
The most popular saints and Holy figures on a Prayer card are Jesus Christ, Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, St. Thomas, St. Francis of Assissi, St. Christopher, St. Micheal, St. Anthony, St. Jude and other angels. These prayer cards are very popular and well sought out by Catholics for the miracles they have done and for their holy and divine life.
Prayer cards are surely a great tool in building ones faith in God. Prayer indeed enhances a vital and personal relationship with God and nurtures the communion with true God. Therefore a regular and routine use of Prayer cards is a spiritual artefact to deepen one’s roots in God and divinity.
