Why should I go to church to pray when I can pray anywhere and anytime?

Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians that we should “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thes 5:17) This implies that we should pray wherever we are at and not just in a church. There are many passages in the Gospels about Jesus and prayer. He prayed in the synagogue, went to the Temple in Jerusalem, in the Garden of Gethsemane, on a mountain, by the seashore, and more.

However, the question asks about praying in a church as opposed to praying elsewhere. This should not be an either/or question, but a both/and question. We should pray everywhere AND in church. So why is the church a special place to pray? Because Jesus is there, and not in the same way that Jesus is everywhere!

Jesus is in the tabernacle in the church, really, truly, and substantially, in the Eucharist. That is why some churches offer perpetual adoration, so that people may come and adore Jesus in the Eucharist. There is even a feast dedicated to the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, Corpus Christi, which is celebrated on the Sunday after Trinity Sunday. Also, we come to church to pray with one another as a community. We share our faith with one another. Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Mt. 18:20) Further, we are called to “Keep holy the Lord’s Day,” the third commandment, and we do this especially by coming together on Sundays to celebrate the Mass.

Read more about the adoration of the Eucharist in the Catechism, paragraphs 1373-1381.

Know your faith. Live your faith. Teach your faith.