1. DAEC | Diocese of Springfield| November 2012
Teaching Teens to Pray
in a Digital World
Jared Dees
Digital Publishing Specialist
Ave Maria Press
Creator
The Religion Teacher

2. Presentation Outline
1. Teens and Technology – Where are they today?
2. Why is prayer so hard?
3. The 3 Keys to a Successful Prayer Life
4. How to Get Digital Natives to Pray Better

3. Are you addicted to the Internet?
October 2012
Source: http://www.fluency21.com//blogpost.cfm?blogID=3008

4. The Mobile Generation
Do you have a cell phone? (Teens 14-17)
13%
Yes
No
87%
March 2012 (Data from 2011)
Source: http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2012/Teens-and-smartphones/Cell-phone-ownership/Overall-
cell-ownership-steady-since-2009.aspx

5. Teens <3 iPhones
Do you have an iPhone?
iPhone
40% Yes
Tablet
60% No
Spring 11 Fall 11 Spring 12 Fall 12
October 2012
Source: http://mobileorchard.com/report-states-that-40-of-u-s-teens-own-an-iphone/

6. What is the #1 way teens communicate today?

7. How Teens Communicate
Daily:
63% text
39% talk on the phone
35% talk in person
29% social networks
22% instant message
19% talk on landline phone
6% exchange email
March 2012 (Data from 2011)
Source: http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2012/Teens-and-smartphones/Cell-phone-ownership/Overall-
cell-ownership-steady-since-2009.aspx

8. Texting
March 2012 (Data from 2011)
Source: http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2012/Teens-and-smartphones/Cell-phone-ownership/Overall-
cell-ownership-steady-since-2009.aspx

9. No phone. Just prayer.

10. So why is prayer so hard?

11. What are your biggest challenges?

12. I don’t have time.
(CCC, 2726)

13. I don’t get anything out of it.
(CCC, 2727)

14. I don’t get results.
(CCC, 2727)

15. I don’t get answers.
(CCC, 2727, 2734-2737)

16. I don’t feel anything. (Spiritual Dryness)
(CCC, 2731)

17. I have better things to do. (Lack of Faith)
(CCC, 2731)

18. Distractions
(CCC, 2729)

19. • Call • Read books • TV Guide • Monitor Websites
• Text message • Read blogs • Price Comparison • Check bank accounts
• Calendar • Read news • Coupons • Check real estate
• Email • Read PDF • Sell on eBay • View family tree
• Camera • Facebook • Flashlight • Buy Groupons
• Alarm Clock • Twitter • Level • Play Games (x20)
• GPS • Google+ • Watch movies (Netflix) • Golf Distance Estimate
• Map • Pinterest • Watch Elmo • Pray Rosary
• Calculator • Quora • Look up actors • Pray liturgy of the hours
• To do list • Count calories • Look up songs • Pray the Divine Mercy
• Weather forecast • Track Expenses • Listen to music Chaplet
• Weather radar • Track investments • Listen to podcasts • Lenten devotional
• Jot down notes • Video chat (Skype) • Schedule Haircut • Stations of the cross
• Record thoughts • Boarding pass • Order Pizza • Examination of
• Google • Check flight times • Fantasy Football Conscience
• Check news headlines • Watch ND football • Dinner Recipe • Mass times
• Check scores • Airport map • Whitenoise maker
• Share pictures • Track travel • Check domain names
• Edit pictures • Find restaurants • Review restaurants

20. Short Term Pleasure > Long Term Joy

21. 3 Keys to a Successful Prayer Life

22. No phone. Just prayer.

23. Humble
“He who humbles himself will be exalted;
humility is the foundation of prayer.”
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2559)

24. Heart
“According to Scripture, it is the heart that prays.
If our heart is far from God, the words of prayer
are in vain.”
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2562)

25. Habit
“The life of prayer is the habit of being in the
presence of the thrice-holy God and in
communion with him.”
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2565)

26. Humble. Heart. Habit.

27. Obstacles to Humility
• I have better things to do. (Lack of Faith)
• I don’t have time.
• I don’t get anything out of it.
• I don’t get results.
• I don’t get answers.
• Short-term Pleasure > Long-term Joy

28. Obstacles to the Heart
• I don’t feel anything. (Spiritual Dryness)
• I don’t get anything out of it.
• Distractions.
• Short-term Pleasure > Long-term Joy

29. Obstacles to Prayer Habits
• I don’t have time.
• I don’t get results.
• I have better things to do. (Lack of Faith)
• Distractions.
• Short-term Pleasure > Long-term Joy

30. Teaching Teens to be Humble
More Praise. Less Petition.

31. Teaching Teens to Pray from the Heart

32. Helping Teens Make Prayer a Habit
Pray always. Sometimes use words.
Prayers before. . . Prayer after. . .
Meals Waking Up
Bed School
Class Games
Games
A Journey

33. Image Credits
• No phone. Just prayer.: http://catholicyouthministry.com/god-are-you-listening/
• I don’t have time: http://www.flickr.com/photos/naomi_pincher/2455741091/
• I don’t get answers: http://www.flickr.com/photos/crash-candy/2311427946/
• I don’t get anything out of it: http://www.flickr.com/photos/79996062@N08/7159780427/
• I don’t get results: http://photos.nd.edu/image/I0000rCop2tc9TuE
• I have better things to do:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/smanography/2366162104/sizes/z/in/photostream/
• Spiritual Dryness: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aloony89/6816515568/
• Short Term Pleasure > Long Term Joy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gregorytran/5177292352/
• Teaching teens to be humble: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dtchristner/2836264730/
• Teaching Teens to Pray from the Heart:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/charles_hudson/5940826868/

34. Thank you!
Ave Maria Press
www.avemariapress.com
The Religion Teacher
www.thereligionteacher.com
Prayer Habits
prayerhabits.com
Email: jared@thereligionteacher.com
Email: jdees@nd.edu
Twitter: @jareddees