Workshop A1: A Variety of Ways to Pray:

Nurturing the Faith of Young People in the Classroom or Parish

National Religious Education Congress

Mater Dei Institute

Saturday 5th October 2013

Susan Morgan

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What is Prayer?Methods and styles of prayer can be defined and explained, but prayer itself is much more difficult to explain. Prayer means many things to different people.

We pray any time we deliberately choose to relate to God. Any time we choose to connect with God in whatever way we can – any time we desire to be

in a committed union with God and to believe/trust in God’s love for us – we pray!

Modes of Prayer include:

Using words to talk to God Using no words – just listening quietly and being still in the divine presence Imagining, visualising Silently reflecting on decisions/seeking guidance Giving and receiving love

Prayer is expressed in many ways:

Intercession Praise/thanksgiving Contrition/grieving/struggling Celebrating/gratitude

Prayer can happen: Anytime, Anywhere, Any place – never know when there might be an opportunity for an interior turning toward the One who dwells within.

Content of Prayer: some examples…

Reciting a Psalm Pondering a passage from Scripture Repeating a word or phrase in centring meditation Praying the Rosary Walking meditatively in nature Journaling Sitting in solitude Joining others for Eucharistic celebration or other Sacraments Reading spiritual books, poetry, reflections Listening to music – Sacred & Secular Singing a Hymn/Psalm – using your voice to honour God Creating a sculpture/writing a Holy Icon – religious image/creation Liturgical dance/movement – praying with the whole body Contemplative doodling

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In difficult moments, seek God. In quiet moments, worship God. In painful moments, trust God. In happy moments, praise God. In every moment, thank God.

Praying with Holy Icons: To sit quietly with an icon is to allow the window of the icon to open and God to reach out and draw us into his presence.

Rublev’s Icon of the Trinity - God Invites us into the Circle of Love

This icon was made by Andrei Rublev in 1425 AD. It represents God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit – the Blessed Trinity. The figure on the left wears a gold robe, a sign of special dignity in the Russian Orthodox tradition. This is God the Father. The figure in the middle wears red, a sign of bloodshed on the cross. This figure is Jesus, God the Son. The figure on the right wears green the colour of life and new growth. This is God the Holy Spirit, the spirit of life. All three figures are identical. This represents the unity of God.

The colour blue is present on all figures though very little of it present on God the Father. Blue is used here to represent what we know of God and we know very little of God the Father. We do know a lot about God’s nature in Jesus and the same can be said for the Holy Spirit whose gifts and fruits can be seen at work in many places.

By using this icon Rublev has presented the core Christian beliefs about God. It illustrates that there is one God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Father, Son & Holy Spirit are distinct though not separate. This can be summed up by describing God as ‘triune’ meaning three in one. The Father – Created everything: the origin of everything that exists. The Son – Sent by the Father to speak God’s word and to save us from sin. The Holy Spirit – Sent at Pentecost and continues to inspire people to become good and holy.

Although each are identified with these particular roles, they all act together as one. They do not act independently of each other.

Look again at the icon. Do you notice that the 3 figures are sitting in a circle. This is the circle of love that is God. Do you notice the space at the bottom? This is for YOU to enter… God loves you & invites you to respond in love.

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A Time To Pray: Examples of Mantra Prayer

Sign of the Cross

Leader: Let us settle ourselves now and relax (may use first phase of the relaxation technique, if

necessary). We close our eyes. We become quiet and still. (Pause) We become aware of our breathing. (Pause) Today we will silently pray the words: ‘You are my child; live in my love.’ We allow ourselves to become aware that God is speaking to us in this prayer. (Pause) On the in-breath, we will silently pray the words: ‘You are my child.’ On the out-breath, we will silently pray: ‘Live in my love.’

(These words are repeated a number of times to ensure that everyone has time to remember them. The prayertime continues in silence for a suitable time. The leader/teacher concludes).

When you are ready, say a quiet word of thanks to God. Then open your eyes once more and stretch. Feel the energy of life that God gives to you.

Sign of the Cross

Other possible Mantra Prayers:

On the in-breath, we silently pray the words: ‘O God you are with me…’ On the out-breath, we silently pray the words: ‘…in the quiet of my heart.’

On the in-breath, we silently pray the words: ‘In the challenges of my life…’ On the out-breath, we silently pray the words: ‘…you are with me O God.’

On the in-breath, we silently pray the words: ‘Be still and know...’ On the out-breath, we silently pray the words: ‘…that I am God.’

On the in-breath, we silently pray the words: ‘I thank you God…’ On the out-breath, we silently pray the words: ‘…for all that you have given me.’

On the in-breath, we silently pray the words: ‘I turn to you O God…’ On the out-breath, we silently pray the words: ‘…I give you my trust.’

On the in-breath, we silently pray the words: ‘God, you call me and you want me...’ On the out-breath, we silently pray the words: ‘…to be fully alive.’

On the in-breath, we silently pray the words: ‘Remind me O God…’ On the out-breath, we silently pray the words: ‘…of your love for me.’

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On the in-breath, we silently pray the words: ‘Wherever life takes me....’ On the out-breath, we silently pray the words: ‘…God guide and direct me.’

Known as "the prayer of the heart," the Jesus prayer is...

"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."

Breath Prayer: Practice

Breath prayer is a short petition, repeated in the space of one inhalation-exhalation cycle, that acknowledges the natures of both the Lord and the petitioner.

1. Sit comfortably with your back straight and close your eyes.

2. Pay attention to your breathing. Focus on breathing will probably exaggerate the intake and output a little. Wait until a comfortable rhythm has returned.

3. Ask Jesus to be present, to lead, to guide, and to protect. Invite him to draw you into the community of the Trinity.

4. Wait silently until you feel ready to begin praying.

5. When you are ready, pray in your breathing rhythm.

Inhale: Lord, Jesus Christ, Pause: Son of God, Exhale: have mercy on me, a sinner.

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6. Use a prayer rope, touching one knot or bead for each repetition. A typical prayer rope is strung with a sequence of one large bead to every ten small ones. The small beads remind one to focus on the prayer. The large one allows for a pause. You may simply touch each of your fingers in succession. Through the first ten repetitions, you might pray aloud, considering the words of the prayer. As distractions arise, gently return your concentration to the words.

7. When you reach the large bead on the prayer rope or your tenth finger, pause. With the first pause you might converse with the Lord about any sin that has risen to your mind. You might tell him about distractions.

8. Begin the next ten when you are ready, praying silently, attending to the flow of air and how it merges with the words. Perhaps on the second pause, a person or situation may come to mind for whom you wish to pray, “have mercy.” Perhaps “on me” will shift to “on us.” Maybe you will appropriate the significance of the words to a particular concern of your own, or the plea for mercy will become a praise for mercy obtained. Take time to share these with God.

9. As you begin the next ten repetitions, listen for the Lord speaking in your heart. Perhaps on the next rest, you will pause to let his words flow.

10. As the prayer repetitions begin to move from your head to your heart, you may feel a desire to still even the echo of the words and to sit quietly with the Lord in peace. When you are ready, you may begin the prayer again or move on to other disciplines of the day.

11. When the silence is gathered and before you move on to the day’s tasks, write down anything that particularly stood out to you during your meditation. It may be that the prayer returns to you throughout the day with this nuance. The next time you practice the breath prayer, perhaps this will function as a starting point in your move to stillness.

12. Exercises other than breathing may also provide a physical rhythm that can fuse with the repetition of the prayer. You may wish to try an uninterrupted walk or bicycle ride in a quiet place, reciting each phrase of your prayer with every step or pedal-pump that you take.

13. Other short petitions in Scripture or some personal breath prayer may be used instead of the Jesus Prayer, for example “Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you” (2 Chr 14:1) or “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on me” (John 1:29). As you regularly practice breath prayer, it will eventually enter into other daily activities like a song you cannot get out of your head. If the repetition becomes annoying or void of meaning, return with intention to the words, retaking them as a prayer for the moment.

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A Time To Pray - Meditation

Sign of the Cross

Leader: Today, we are going to pray using our imagination to allow us to really hear the Word of God for us. In order to prepare ourselves for this I ask that you remain standing for a moment and just let your arms fall loosely at your sides. Close your eyes. Make a tight fist of one hand… notice what happens to your arm… let go. Relax. Make a tight fist with the other hand… notice what happens to this arm… let go. Relax. Tighten up your face for a moment… let go. Relax. Tightly tense your entire body… hold for a moment… let go. Relax. Now, open your eyes and sit down in a comfortable position in your chair. Once seated, close your eyes again and place one hand on the upper part of your stomach. Notice how it rises and falls with every breath. Pay attention to your breathing. Breathe slowly in and out…, in and out. Now I want you to breathe in slowly and count to four and then breathe out and count to four. Okay, ready, breathe in…one, two, three, four and breathe out… one, two, three, four. Try it again silently yourself a couple of times. Breathe in…one, two, three, four and breathe out… one, two, three, four. Now as you breathe in, imagine light and goodness coming into your body. Breath in, imagine… As you breathe out, imagine worries and problems leaving your body. Breathe out, imagine… Try this a few times. Now we are relaxed and ready to hear the Word of God. ___________________ (Name of Reader) will now read from the Gospel according to St Mark Chapter 1 verses 40-45.

Reader: A Reading from the holy Gospel according to St Mark. A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, ‘If you are willing, you can make me clean.’ Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’ Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning. ‘See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing as a testimony to them.’ Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.

The Word of the Lord.

All: Praise to you Lord, Jesus Christ.

Leader: Reflection: Imagine the scene you have just heard about where Jesus meets a man suffering from leprosy. What kind of day is it? Is it late or early? Who is there? What are they saying/doing? Picture the man with leprosy. What is he wearing? How does he look? What does the man with leprosy do? What does he say? How do the people react? Now concentrate on Jesus. How does Jesus react when the man comes up to him? What does the man say to Jesus? What does Jesus say/do? How does the man respond to Jesus? What happens next? You move away from the scene now and walk towards the shade of a nearby tree. You sit down. What thoughts come to you about what you have just

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witnessed? Are there any words or images that are staying with you as you remember the scene? Spend a few quiet moments now with that word or image. What message do you think the Word of God has for you today? Now take a few deep breathes in and out and slowly, when you are ready return here to this room. Gently, open your eyes and stretch, if necessary.

And so we pray together (Students repeat each line)…

All: Jesus, you are our friend.

You care for us. You will not turn away from us. You will always be with us. You want us to let you be part of our lives. You bring God’s power and love to us. Give us confidence in you. You went through hard times. Help us, when times are hard, to remember that you are with us. Help us, like you, to be kind to others, when they are sick, disabled or in trouble. Amen.

Sign of the Cross

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Example of Prayer with a symbol or object: A Pebble

Sign of the Cross

Leader: Welcome to our prayertime. Sometimes words are not enough and we use a gift to express ourselves. In our worship of God we can use things too. They help us to get beyond words to a deeper level of communication with God. At the beginning of the lesson you were given a pebble and now we are going to use this pebble to help us to pray and worship God.

Take the pebble in your hand. What is it like to look at? Explore it. Turn it over in your hand. Feel it. What is it like to touch? Is it rough or is it smooth? Is it light or is it dark? Does the pebble remind you of something in your life? Perhaps its smoothness reminds you of things that are pleasant. Perhaps its sharpness reminds you of things that are difficult. Perhaps its bright colour reminds you of the things that are happy. Perhaps its dark colour reminds you of things that are sad. Perhaps its solid feel reminds you of things on which you can depend. So take a few moments with this pebble now and allow it to remind you of something in your life. (Pause) Take some time now and in the silence of your heart, talk to God about this part of your life. Be aware of the feel and look of the pebble in your hand as you do so. (Allow 2 minutes for silent reflection)

Let us pray together and say:

All: Our Father…

Sign of the Cross

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Prayer In A Pot – you will need slips of paper, pencils, a ceramic pot, a candle & matches for this prayertime. Give each person a pencil and slip of paper before beginning the prayer and place the candle (unlit) in front of the pot.

Sign of the Cross

Leader: A lot of the time we pray for ourselves and for our own perceived needs. Today we are not going to ask God for anything for ourselves. Instead, we are going to spend a few moments thinking about the various people in our lives. We might think of our parents or guardians, our brothers and sisters, granny or grandad, our wider family circle, our close friends, or people we know in our community. (Pause) Is there anyone whom you know needs your prayers at this time? Perhaps someone you know is in hospital or living with illness. Perhaps someone you know is finding life a struggle. Perhaps someone you know has asked you to remember them in your prayers. (Pause) Let’s spend a few moments now thinking of one person who needs us to pray for them. (Pause) You have each received a slip of paper and a pencil. Write the name of the person that you want to pray for on the slip. As you do this, try and hold an image of this person in your mind and your heart. When you are ready, reverently place the folded up slip of paper into the pot. (Allow a few minutes for this. When everyone has placed the names of those they want to pray for in the pot, the Leader then lights the candle).

Leader: Loving God, we know how much you love and care for us, so it is with great confidence that we place before you, in this pot, these names. We pray now for the people in our lives who have asked us to pray for them or whom we know cry out for your healing love at this time. We offer these and all of our prayers through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Leader: Let us all pray together – repeat each line after me… All: God of compassion and consolation, we bring before you in prayer all who suffer in mind, body or spirit, the bereaved, the lonely, those in depression or despair. May each person know the peace of your presence, and in your friendship find strength for today and hope and healing for the days to come. We ask this in the name of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen

Sign of the Cross

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Doodle Prayer

Many people doodle without even being aware of what exactly they are doing. Teenagers are particularly prone to making shapes on a page while the teacher is talking, which they then decorate and embellish. Generally, there is no end in mind, but the very act of doodling focuses the student’s attention. Doodling can be used in an imaginative way by the teacher to provide a focus for contemplation. Doodling has long been a means for fostering deep reflection, invoking the gift of one’s inner imagination as a source of reflection. The Irish Monks for example, who created such beautifully scripted and embellished books such as the Book of Kells, saw their work not just as art, but as an act of prayerful contemplation.

Preparation: Each student will need:

Gel pens, colouring pencils, markers or crayons

A black marker, pen or sharp pencil

A plain sheet of paper

Note: No erasers are required, as every mark made is part of the entire prayer! The end product will serve as a visual reminder of the time spent in prayer.

General Guidelines

Step 1: Begin by lighting a candle to symbolize the presence of God. Pray the Sign of the Cross. Read the passage or prayer or say the key word(s) which arose from the lesson. Repeat it slowly a number of times.

Step 2: Play some soft background music and encourage the students to become relaxed and calm.

Step 3: Ask the students to write on their page the word(s) of the prayer that they have just heard.

Step 4: Slowly, with their minds focused on the words, they begin to doodle around the word(s), adding design and colour as they like.

Step 5: When they are finished, repeat together the words of the prayer. Pray the Sign of the Cross.

Invite the students to take their page with them and put it in their journal as a reminder of their prayertime.

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A Time To Pray: Prayer with movement/actions

Here is an example of a prayer through movement. Practise it several times so that you can really pray it. Sit comfortably (or stand if you prefer). If standing, place your hands loosely by your sides or, if sitting, resting on your lap before you begin.

The Lord’s Prayer (with gestures)

Our Father who art in heaven: Lift your open hands up to chest level.

Hallowed be thy name: Keep your arms up and just lower your head.

Thy kingdom come: Raise your head and open your arms wide.

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven: Turn your palms to face downwards and move them first outwards and then together in a gesture of praying over the earth.

Give us this day our daily bread: Extend your arms with palms open and upturned.

And forgive us our trespasses: Place your palms crossed against your chest.

As we forgive those who trespass against us: Open arms with palms upturned.

And lead us not into temptation: Push your hands to one side, with palms vertical, and turn your head to face the other direction.

But deliver us from evil: Join both hands together in a gesture of prayer.

Amen: Raise your hands and arms in affirmation.

Example of Using secular songs to pray…

Sign of the Cross

Invite students to sit. You might like to begin with some breathing exercises to help them relax. Tell them that you are going to play a song written after the September 2001 terrorist attack in the U.S. It was written by a group called the Black Eyed Peas and it is called Where is the Love? Ask them to listen carefully to the words. Play song. Afterwards ask them to write down/share their reactions to the song. Give out the lyrics sheet and ask the students to read again the words of the song.

Possible Questions: What in particular strikes them about words/message of the song? What are the main themes/issues discussed in the song? The song asks ‘Where is the Love?’ What kind of love is it talking about? What solutions/remedies does the song suggest? What Christian values does the song promote? How is this song different from most popular songs that we might hear today? What, if anything, does the song say to you about God and/or love of neighbour?

Perhaps finish by asking the students to write a prayer/wrap/song/poem about an issue affecting our world today.

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Black eyed peas lyrics WHERE IS THE LOVE ?

What's wrong with the world, mamaPeople livin' like they ain't got no mamasI think the whole world addicted to the dramaOnly attracted to things that'll bring you traumaOverseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorismBut we still got terrorists here livin'In the USA, the big CIAThe Bloods and The Crips and the KKKBut if you only have love for your own raceThen you only leave space to discriminateAnd to discriminate only generates hateAnd when you hate then you're bound to get irate, yeahMadness is what you demonstrateAnd that's exactly how anger works and operatesMan, you gotta have love just to set it straightTake control of your mind and meditateLet your soul gravitate to the love, y'all, y'all

People killin', people dyin'Children hurt and you hear them cryin'Can you practice what you preachAnd would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help usSend us some guidance from above'Cause people got me, got me questionin'Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)Where is the love (The love)Where is the loveThe love, the love

It just ain't the same, always unchangedNew days are strange, is the world insaneIf love and peace is so strongWhy are there pieces of love that don't belongNations droppin' bombsChemical gasses fillin' lungs of little onesWith the ongoin' sufferin' as the youth die youngSo ask yourself is the lovin' really goneSo I could ask myself really what is goin' wrongIn this world that we livin' in people keep on givin'in

Makin' wrong decisions, only visions of them dividendsNot respectin' each other, deny thy brotherA war is goin' on but the reason's undercoverThe truth is kept secret, it's swept under the rugIf you never know truth then you never know loveWhere's the love, y'all, come on (I don't know)

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Where's the truth, y'all, come on (I don't know)Where's the love, y'all

People killin', people dyin'Children hurt and you hear them cryin'Can you practice what you preachAnd would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help usSend us some guidance from above'Cause people got me, got me questionin'Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)Where is the love (The love)Where is the loveThe love, the love

I feel the weight of the world on my shoulderAs I'm gettin' older, y'all, people gets colderMost of us only care about money makin'Selfishness got us followin' our own directionWrong information always shown by the mediaNegative images is the main criteriaInfecting the young minds faster than bacteriaKids act like what they see in the cinemaYo', whatever happened to the values of humanityWhatever happened to the fairness in equalityInstead in spreading love we spreading animosityLack of understanding, leading lives away from unityThat's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' underThat's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' downThere's no wonder why sometimes I'm feelin' underGotta keep my faith alive to lovers bound

People killin', people dyin'Children hurt and you hear them cryin'Can you practice what you preachAnd would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help usSend us some guidance from above'Cause people got me, got me questionin'Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)Where is the love (The love)Where is the love (The love)

Where is the love (The love)Where is the love (The love)Where is the love (The love)

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Entering into a Relationship – Joyce Rupp

When did you first Weave your way into my life,

Beloved?

When did you first entice me

with your contagious colours of love?

When did the mystery of your kindness stir

so strongly I could no longer deny your grace?

I do not know the precise moment. Perhaps there never was one.

More, it seems to me, are the countless times, endless ways, you enter,

thread by thread, the pattern of my days, your presence inaudibly

interlacing my every moment,

Your whispers and sighs, your breathy voice

in the ear of my heart,

persuading me into your embrace.

Please, Beloved, never stop encouraging me.

Draw me daily into the sanctuary

of your enduring love.

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