Lesson 16: Ways of Praying. Background for the Catechist. Purpose of Lesson. Remembering Point. Reflection/Doctrinal Reference.

Transcription

1 Lesson 16 Ways of Praying Please take 10 minutes to reflect on the following introduc on to this lesson. Background for the Catechist Reflection/Doctrinal Reference Vocal prayer is an essen al element of the Chris an life. To his disciples, drawn by their Master's silent prayer, Jesus teaches a vocal prayer, the Our Father. He not only prayed aloud the liturgical prayers of the synagogue but, as the Gospels show, he raised his voice to express his personal prayer, from exultant blessing of the Father to the agony of Gethsemane (Mt 11: 25 26, Mk 14: 36) (CCC, n. 2701). Because it is external and so thoroughly human, vocal prayer is the form of prayer most readily accessible to groups. Even interior prayer, however, cannot neglect vocal prayer. Prayer is internalised to the extent that we become aware of him to whom we speak (St Teresa of Jesus, The Way of Perfec on 26, 9). Thus vocal prayer becomes an ini al form of contempla ve prayer (CCC, n. 2704). Song and music fulfil their func on as signs in a manner all the more significant when they are more closely connected with the liturgical ac on (SC 112, n. 3), according to three principal criteria: beauty expressive of prayer, the unanimous par cipa on of the assembly at the designated moments, and the solemn character of the celebra on. In this way they par cipate in the purpose of the liturgical words and ac ons: the glory of God and the sanc fica on of the faithful (SC, 112) (CCC, n. 1157). The richness of the Church s prayer tradi on encompasses the whole range of ways in which human beings can express themselves. From silent prayer to prayer expressed through the body in posture and in gesture, from contempla on and medita on to spoken prayer and prayer in song. These la er two ways are probably the ones we are most familiar with. Vocal prayers are usually our first experience of prayer. Children are introduced to prayer by learning, at first, short words of thanks and praise. Then, as they grow, they are introduced to the Lord s Prayer, the Hail Mary and the Glory be. They are introduced also to the prayers of the Mass and to prayers of intercession. Prayer in song is also an experience encountered from childhood as young people hear hymns and psalms at Mass and more formally when they learn them in religious educa on lessons. Singing has a remarkably unifying effect and also is capable of li ing and heightening fervour and helping people into the mystery they are celebra ng. Student Focus The students have had a number of lessons that explore prayer. For many, prayer will be an added extra that will not hold a high place in their daily life. For others, prayer will be a regular prac ce. Whichever students you have, all will be familiar with the necessity to put effort into their rela onships. This will provide a good understanding of the value of prayer in establishing rela onship with God. Purpose of Lesson There are various ways of praying: vocal prayer, prayer in song. Remembering Point I can pray in many ways. Abbrevia ons: CCC Catechism of the Catholic Church SC Sacrosanctum Concilium The Good News of Jesus (5 / 6 Year A) 1 Catechist Sheets

2 Beginning (2 minutes) Welcome the students as usual. Gather the students round the prayer focus. Middle (22 minutes) Let us pray together: There are many different ways of praying. We pray during Mass; we say prayers like the Hail Mary together; we think our prayers, that is say them in our hearts. Let us all the Hail Mary together: Hail Mary Gather the students in a circle round you at the whiteboard or the poster you have prepared. Place on the floor the set of cards with the names of tradi onal prayers and some blank cards. Ask the students: What are the names of some prayers? (Our Father, Grace before meals, prayer of sorrow, Accept all their answers.) Invite the students to find the card that matches their answer, and s ck it on the whiteboard/chart. (Ask the students to write their answer on a blank card if it isn t in the set of cards.) Tell the students: These are tradi onal prayers. Invite a student to s ck the tradi onal strip at the top of the whiteboard or chart. (These strips are available in Appendix 16b. Tell the students we usually pray the tradi onal prayers out loud. That is why they are also called vocal prayers. Invite a student to s ck the vocal strip above the list of prayers. Tell the students: When we pray these prayers together we can call them communal prayers. Invite a student to place the communal strip above the list. Tell the students: The Hail Mary is a tradi onal prayer that we say vocally and communally. In prayer we can also sing the Hail Mary. One part of the prayer praises Mary; the other is where we ask Mary to pray for us. Invite the students to draw a red circle around the part that praises Mary and a green circle around the part where we ask Mary to pray for us. Invite them to underline in red some of the things we praise Mary for (grace, God s with her, blessed). Invite them to underline in green what we ask for (pray for us). (Walk around the room, encouraging the students and giving help where necessary.) Invite the students to think about what prayers are all about? Preparation 1. Prayer Focus: a cloth, a cross, a candle or an electric tea light, and the Bible. 2. Whiteboard and whiteboard marker or a sheet of A3 paper. 3. Blank cards. 4. Blu Tack. 5. Names of tradi onal prayers on card, see Appendix 16a. 6. The words: Tradi onal, Vocal and Communal on card, e.g. see Appendix 16b. TRADITIONAL VOCAL COMMUNAL 7. Coloured felt pens. Invite the students to share with the person beside you. Invite a few students to share their answer with the whole group. (Thinking about God/Jesus/Mary, speaking to God/Jesus/Mary, praising God, asking God ) The Good News of Jesus (5 / 6 Year A) 2 Catechist Sheets

3 Tell the students: I now want you to think carefully about all the things we have shared and talked about so far. With your partner write your own defini on of prayer and record it in the space on your worksheet, tled Defini on of Prayer. Encourage the students to use their own words and their own understanding. Remember to affirm the students answers. This is an opportunity for the students to engage deeply in the topic. Invite the students to share what they have wri en. End (3 minutes) Invite the students to bring the prayers and gather around you at the front of the learning space. Put the candle in the middle of the circle. Affirm the following with the students: What you have wri en for your defini on describes the richness of prayer. We can all pray at any me. Prayer is raising the heart and mind to God, thinking about God, speaking to and singing to God about anything and everything and at any me. Let us make the Sign of the Cross together. Sing the Hail Mary Lord, you have told us to pray o en to God. Help us now to pray to God, our Father as part of our daily lives in word, in song, in ac on and with my family. The Good News of Jesus (5 / 6 Year A) 3 Catechist Sheets

4 Photocopy and cut out a set. Appendix 16a Prayer Titles Our Father Hail Mary Glory Be to the Father Grace Before / After Meals Prayer of Sorrow The Good News of Jesus (5 / 6 Year A) 4 Catechist Sheets

5 Appendix 16b Types of Prayer Photocopy and cut out. TRADITIONAL PRAYERS VOCAL PRAYERS COMMUNAL PRAYER The Good News of Jesus (5 / 6 Year A) 5 Catechist Sheets