Ch. 10: Prayer in the Life of a Disciple of Christ

An Invitation to PrayerPrayer is essential to the life of a disciple.Jesus instructs us to pray constantly.Sometimes God grants us what we wish and at others he provides for much deeper needs that we ourselves do not recognize.

Defining PrayerThere are several definitions of prayer.

Most essentially, prayer is a relationship, our response to God who seeks us.

Benefits of Prayer:Contributes to our sense of self-worthLeads to happinessChanges usNourishes us in virtuesEnergizes, calms, and renewsHealsHelps relieve anxietyDeepens our relationship with the Triune God

How to PrayPrayer is an act of love that can be enhanced by following 6 Ps: place: find a place where you can be in Gods presenceperiod of time: set aside a designated time for prayerposture: assume a posture that helps you be alert and relaxedpresence: remember that you are in Gods presence so that you can be present to Godpassage: one common way to enter into prayer is to be begin with Scripturepersistence: strive to focus on prayer in spite of distractions

* Jesus is pleased that we want to pray, even if we are distracted. Any effort at prayer is prayer itself.

Expressions of PrayerMental Prayer: conversing with or reflecting on God, sometimes leading into contemplation (a form of silent, wordless prayer where we rest in Gods presence)Vocal Prayer: prayer expressed in words, we do as Jesus taught in the Our Father

Meditation: prayerful reflection, especially on the Word of God in Scripture, using our thoughts, emotions, imaginations, and desires to tune into God.

Forms of PrayerScripture and Tradition have revealed several normative forms of prayer, including:Blessing: we bless God because he first blesses usAdoration: giving glory to God and humbly acknowledging that he is the loving Creator of everything

Petition: asking God to provide what we need materially or spirituallycontrition is a special type of petition in which we ask God for forgiveness

Intercession: a special form of intercession that we make on behalf of othersForms of Prayer

Thanksgiving: prayer of gratitude to God for all that he has given usThe Eucharist (which means to give thanks) is a special prayer of thanksgiving that we offer with Christ.

Praise: acknowledges that God is God and gives him glory

Traditional Catholic Prayer PracticesIcons: when we pray before icons (religious images intended to direct our attention to Heaven), we put ourselves into the presence of the holy person or mystery portrayed

Prayer Before the Blessed Sacrament: visiting the Lord in the Eucharist or keeping a holy hour

Litanies: a series of prayers, both invocations and responses, which can be done either communally or privately Novenas: prayers offered over nine days in order to obtain special graces or for particular intentions The Jesus prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.Traditional Catholic Prayer Practices

Praying with Sacred ScriptureMany Catholic prayers come from Sacred Scripture:prayers said at Masspsalmscanticlespopular prayers like the Our Father, Hail Mary, and AngelusThe constant theme in Scripture is that Gods relationship with his people is one of prayer.

Models of Prayer in the Old TestamentAbraham responded in obedience to Gods call.Moses interceded with God for his people.The Chosen People prayed in the Temple before the Ark of the Covenant.King David composed psalms, which capture human emotion and glorify God.The prophets talked to God, interceded for his people, and proclaimed Gods Word.

Prayer in the New TestamentJesus learned to pray from his mother and from the Jewish tradition, but

as the Son of God, his prayer also came from who he was.

The Gospels give many examples of Jesus at prayer:

Jesus prayed for 40 days in the desert to prepare for his ministryJesus prayed before making important decisions like selecting the ApostlesJesus prayed after performing miraclesJesus prayed before Peter confessed him to be the Messiahat the time of the TransfigurationJesus prayed at the Last SupperJesus prayed in the Garden of GethsemaneJesus prayed on the cross

Jesus also taught his disciples how to prayin the Sermon on the Mount, with the Lords Prayer, andat all times.

The New Testament tells of other models for prayer:the Blessed Motherthe ApostlesSt. Paul

The Church Prays with Sacred ScriptureThe Church prays with Scripture in numerous ways:Mass and other liturgies of the ChurchPsalmsthe Our Father

Liturgy of the Hours, the official prayer of the Church, which offers prayers, Scripture, and reflections at set times of the day:an hour of readingsmorning praisesmidday prayersvespers (evening prayers)compline (short night prayer)lectio divina (sacred reading), devotional reading aimed at meeting God in Scripture, which includes:reading (lectio)thinking (editation)prayer (oratio)contemplationresolution

Two Special Prayers for Jesus DisciplesThe Lords Prayer the preeminent Christian prayer, used in all the sacramentshas been called a summary of the whole Gospel

Our Father: Jesus invites us to address God with the intimate term Abba (Daddy)Who Art in Heaven: reminds us of Gods transcendenceHallowed Be Thy Name: recognizes Gods holinessThy Kingdom Come: we pray for Christs return and live, experience, and work for the KingdomThy Will Be Done on Earth as It Is in Heaven: to do the Fathers will is to join our will to his Sons and to participate in his ongoing work of Salvation

Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread: requesting both material and spiritual goods and blessing that are necessary for lifeAnd Forgive Us Our Trespasses as We Forgive Those Who Trespass Against Us: to receive forgiveness we must acknowledge our sinfulness and forgive othersAnd Lead Us Not Into Temptation: we pray for the strength to overcome difficulties that might steer us away from ChristBut Deliver Us From Evil: we pray that God will protect us from Satan and evil in the world

The Hail Mary

Next to the Our Father, the Hail Mary is a favorite Catholic prayer that calls on Mary for her intercession on our behalf.

The Hail Mary helps the Church remain in communion with the Virgin Mary, to magnify the great things the Lord has done for her.

Hail Mary, Full of Grace: indicates that Mary was full of grace, without sin, and blessed by God within herThe Lord Is With Thee: God chose Mary, preserved her from sin, and filled her with graceBlessed Are Thou Among Women: As the Mother of God, Mary occupies a unique role in Salvation HistoryBlessed Is the Fruit of Thy Womb, Jesus: blesses Mary for her faith in accepting Gods Word that she was to be the Mother of God

Holy Mary, Mother of God: acknowledges that Mary is the Mother of God because she gave birth to Jesus, who is both true God and true manPray for Us Sinners: We acknowledge ourselves as sinners and ask Mary to intercede for us.Now and at the Hour of Our Death: We ask Mary, who remained with her Son to the end, to do the same for us.

*Before beginning with this slide, teachers might lead the class in a discussion or in a chalk talk activity where students write different things they associate with prayer up on the board. Based on those responses, the teacher might then ask students how they would define prayer.While discussing the 6 Ps, teachers might ask students to come up with examples for each point.Some explanation may be necessary to help students understand the difference between meditation and contemplation. See pp.245-246.Before reading this slide, teachers might ask the class where they remember Scripture being used in the Mass.For additional talking point on each person/group see pp.250-251.See pp.252-254 for additional talking points on these individuals.Teachers may have students recite the Our Father and offer their own explanation for what each line means.Teachers may have students recite the Hail Mary and offer their own explanation for what each line means.