2. “la oración es un
impulso del corazón, una
sencilla mirada lanzada
hacia el cielo, un grito de
agradecimiento y de
amor tanto desde dentro
de la prueba como desde
dentro de la alegría”
¿Qué es la oración?
3. “La oración es la elevación del alma a
Dios o la petición a Dios de bienes
convenientes”
-CIC 525.
39. Resources on Prayer
• Loyola Press-3 minute retreat
http://www.loyolapress.com/3-minute-retreats-daily-online-prayer
Be my Disciples-Prayer Resources
http://www.bemydisciples.com/classroom-prayers#.V632oFsrLct
Lectio Divina for Children and Teens
http://www.thereligionteacher.com/lectio-divina-children-teens/
Class prayers resources – The Religion Teacher
http://www.thereligionteacher.com/class-prayer/
Crafts
http://www.catholicicing.com/?s=prayer
-we see Jesus constantly at prayer
-teaches his disciples how to pray
There is something very familiar, comfortable, and knowable about vocal prayer, be it a traditional Catholic prayer or a spontaneous prayer spoken from the heart. Starting a meal, a class, a meeting, a retreat, or any gathering with vocal prayer is commonplace for many. And, yet, for others it may not be so commonplace. Many a catechist and teacher is surprised, or maybe not so surprised, by the number of children who do not pray at mealtime or who do not pray at all. Those who minister to children might make it a simple goal to encourage parents to use mealtime (NDC, 113) as a time for vocal prayer.
MEDITATIVE PRAYER
Mr. Davis spent just five minutes leading his third graders through a guided meditation in which the children imagined Jesus with them on the playground. As the meditation ended, he asked his students to open their eyes and come back to the classroom. "But I don't wanna come back," replied Dakota.
Meditation is a style of prayer that uses "thought, imagination, emotion and desire" (CCC, no. 2708). The possibilities for using meditation are as unlimited as our imaginations. One often thinks of meditation as needing an extended period of time, a quiet place, and a disciplined psyche. Yet, meditation can be incorporated into the chaotic classroom, the stressful workplace, the frenetic home, and even the car, as long as it's parked! Pope Francis encourages families to meditate on the Gospel "while reciting the Rosary" (Pope Francis, General Audience, St. Peter's Square, August 26, 2015). In addition, a quick search on a mobile device will reveal a huge number of applications to help, not only with rosary meditations, but also with many other types of prayer and meditation, includinglectio divina.
Another effective form of meditation, as in the scene described above, is guided imagery. Guided imagery, or guided meditation, is a manner of prayer in which the person praying is guided by a leader, by the Scriptures, by spiritual writings, or by some other means, to use his or her mind and imagination. Some pastoral ministers and parents shy away from using this form of prayer, thinking that one must be a spiritual master to guide one's self or another in meditation. However, "Christians owe it to themselves to develop the desire to meditate regularly" (CCC, no. 2707). As catechists and parents, we owe it to those we catechize to show them the beauty of meditation.
one notices that contemplation requires silence and time. Whereas a spontaneous or traditional vocal prayer is rather brief, contemplation takes a little time. It takes a little time to quiet one's self, one's students, one's children, or one's peers so as to enter into "a time of silent listening and love" (USCCA, 474). It really just takes getting used to silence and the best way to get used to silence is to practice it. Take time in the classroom, in the home, in adult formation gatherings, and in youth ministry settings to let people rest in silence. Trust in the power of the Holy Spirit to pray on behalf of those who "do not know how to pray as we ought" (Rom 8:26).
Finally, trust in the power of the Holy Spirit to guide all those leading prayer and all those who seek God in prayer.
SILENCE
He says, "Be still, and know that I am God;I will be exalted among the nations,I will be exalted in the earth" (Ps 46:10).
One of the more important things we may do as we prepare our students to enter into conversation with God is to offer them an experience of silence. Today's students have little experience with silence. Helping them to quiet their minds and hearts is a great gift that enables them to speak and to listen to God's voice.
Two frustrated parents were concerned about their youngest son fidgeting and chattering through Sunday Mass and asked Father for his help. The following Sunday, the behavioral change in their son was nearly miraculous. What had Father done to affect this transformation? Father said, "I just told him that if he was very, very still and quiet, he could hear God speak to him."
It is important to teach our students to visit quietly with Jesus, in silent contemplation before him in the Blessed Sacrament. We encourage them to share the deepest desires of their hearts, for while he already knows these thoughts and desires, he especially loves to hear these from his children. Share the very words of the saints with the students at their appropriate learning levels, because we know that the saints can guide us to Christ. Take them to Jesus in the tabernacle; guide them in how to share their hearts with Jesus; encourage them to make brief visits to Jesus there on their own. Tell them to give Jesus "Prime Time" in their hearts and in their lives.
The need to prepare our students for times of prayer in quiet and stillness is crucial, because it is often in the silence of our hearts that God speaks to us.
-silence stills our restless hearts (St. Augustine)
-"Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence." (1 Kgs. 19)
-
TIMES TO PRAY
We learn to pray at certain moments by hearing the Word of the Lord and sharing in his Paschal mystery, but his Spirit is offered us at all times, in the events of each day, to make prayer spring up from us (CCC, no. 2659).
Listening to both St. Paul and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, we should live in a spirit of prayer, praying always.
We must remember God more often than we draw breath. But we cannot pray "at all times" if we do not pray at specific times, consciously willing it. These are the special times of Christian prayer, both in intensity and duration (CCC, no. 2697).
When with our students, we guide them in praying unceasingly by looking for situations that call us to pray, in the classroom, in the cafeteria, on the playground, or in other daily situations. When a possibly contentious situation arises between students, or while urging students to live like Christ and respect one another in a way that would please God, call the students to prayer. Share an appropriate Scripture verse after quieting them. Allow them to think about the verse, explaining to them its meaning when necessary. Do not be afraid to briefly "preach" on a verse or two, as our vocation as catechists calls us to witness to our students, breaking open and unpacking the Scriptures. Show them that God wants to hear from his children at all times, in all circumstances. Children can be introduced to lectio divina at a young age and be taught to unpack the Scriptures by themselves. This is a valuable skill that will stay with them their entire lives.
It is common in catechetical situations to involve our students in Intercessory Prayer. We start our catechesis with the Sign of the Cross, the sign of our faith, usually followed by a formal prayer, and ask our students whom they would like to pray for. It is crucial that they understand the importance of interceding for the living and deceased friends and members of our family, all the Body of Christ. These people depend on our prayers for them at all times.
FORMAL AND INFORMAL PRAYER
We know that there is a need for both formal and informal prayer, both vocal and silent prayer. The Catechism tells us, "The Tradition of the Church proposes to the faithful certain rhythms of praying intended to nourish continual prayer. Some are daily, such as morning and evening prayer, grace before and after meals, the Liturgy of the Hours. Sundays, centered on the Eucharist, are kept holy primarily by prayer. The cycle of the liturgical year and its great feasts are also basic rhythms of the Christian's life of prayer." (CCC, no. 2698)
Recognizing that prayer is a gift from God, and that God calls man first, we are moved by the Holy Spirit to respond to his invitation to be in relationship with him. While we might fill our lives with busy-ness, with study of everything in the world but him, "yet the living and true God tirelessly calls each person to that mysterious encounter known as prayer" (CCC, no. 2567).
We make sure that our students know the formal prayers (the Our Father; the Hail Mary; the Glory Be; the Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love; the Act of Contrition; the Apostles' Creed; the Nicene Creed) because we pray these in community, in worship together as the family of the Church. These prayers can also assist us in times of dryness, as we learn from reading the lives of many saints.
PRAYING WITH SACRED SCRIPTURE
In Sacred Scripture, especially the Gospels, we do not simply learn about Jesus, but are brought into intimate contact with him. "The Church 'forcefully and specially exhorts all the Christian faithful . . . to learn 'the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ" (Phil 3:8) by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures. . . . Let them remember, however, that prayer should accompany the reading of Sacred Scripture, so that a dialogue takes place between God and man. For 'we speak to him when we pray; we listen to him when we read the divine oracles.'" (CCC, no. 2653)
Descripción
EVANGELIZO – EVANGELIO DEL DÍAServicio católico: Evangelio del Día, el evangelio, las lecturas, los Santos, los rezos, en 10 lenguas :
Description
Hola Jesús! es una app para ayudar a rezar a los niños. Destinada a padres, profesores y educadores para utilizarla con niños para rezar con el Evangelio, con vidas de Santos, Cuentos, Parábolas en dibujos, Parábolas cantadas, Oraciones para niños, galerías con dibujos, hacer un rato de oración con ellos a través de dibujos y textos muy sencillos, y mucho más contenido.Te enamorará.
-we see Jesus constantly at prayer
-teaches his disciples how to pray
There is something very familiar, comfortable, and knowable about vocal prayer, be it a traditional Catholic prayer or a spontaneous prayer spoken from the heart. Starting a meal, a class, a meeting, a retreat, or any gathering with vocal prayer is commonplace for many. And, yet, for others it may not be so commonplace. Many a catechist and teacher is surprised, or maybe not so surprised, by the number of children who do not pray at mealtime or who do not pray at all. Those who minister to children might make it a simple goal to encourage parents to use mealtime (NDC, 113) as a time for vocal prayer.
MEDITATIVE PRAYER
Mr. Davis spent just five minutes leading his third graders through a guided meditation in which the children imagined Jesus with them on the playground. As the meditation ended, he asked his students to open their eyes and come back to the classroom. "But I don't wanna come back," replied Dakota.
Meditation is a style of prayer that uses "thought, imagination, emotion and desire" (CCC, no. 2708). The possibilities for using meditation are as unlimited as our imaginations. One often thinks of meditation as needing an extended period of time, a quiet place, and a disciplined psyche. Yet, meditation can be incorporated into the chaotic classroom, the stressful workplace, the frenetic home, and even the car, as long as it's parked! Pope Francis encourages families to meditate on the Gospel "while reciting the Rosary" (Pope Francis, General Audience, St. Peter's Square, August 26, 2015). In addition, a quick search on a mobile device will reveal a huge number of applications to help, not only with rosary meditations, but also with many other types of prayer and meditation, includinglectio divina.
Another effective form of meditation, as in the scene described above, is guided imagery. Guided imagery, or guided meditation, is a manner of prayer in which the person praying is guided by a leader, by the Scriptures, by spiritual writings, or by some other means, to use his or her mind and imagination. Some pastoral ministers and parents shy away from using this form of prayer, thinking that one must be a spiritual master to guide one's self or another in meditation. However, "Christians owe it to themselves to develop the desire to meditate regularly" (CCC, no. 2707). As catechists and parents, we owe it to those we catechize to show them the beauty of meditation.
one notices that contemplation requires silence and time. Whereas a spontaneous or traditional vocal prayer is rather brief, contemplation takes a little time. It takes a little time to quiet one's self, one's students, one's children, or one's peers so as to enter into "a time of silent listening and love" (USCCA, 474). It really just takes getting used to silence and the best way to get used to silence is to practice it. Take time in the classroom, in the home, in adult formation gatherings, and in youth ministry settings to let people rest in silence. Trust in the power of the Holy Spirit to pray on behalf of those who "do not know how to pray as we ought" (Rom 8:26).
Finally, trust in the power of the Holy Spirit to guide all those leading prayer and all those who seek God in prayer.
SILENCE
He says, "Be still, and know that I am God;I will be exalted among the nations,I will be exalted in the earth" (Ps 46:10).
One of the more important things we may do as we prepare our students to enter into conversation with God is to offer them an experience of silence. Today's students have little experience with silence. Helping them to quiet their minds and hearts is a great gift that enables them to speak and to listen to God's voice.
Two frustrated parents were concerned about their youngest son fidgeting and chattering through Sunday Mass and asked Father for his help. The following Sunday, the behavioral change in their son was nearly miraculous. What had Father done to affect this transformation? Father said, "I just told him that if he was very, very still and quiet, he could hear God speak to him."
It is important to teach our students to visit quietly with Jesus, in silent contemplation before him in the Blessed Sacrament. We encourage them to share the deepest desires of their hearts, for while he already knows these thoughts and desires, he especially loves to hear these from his children. Share the very words of the saints with the students at their appropriate learning levels, because we know that the saints can guide us to Christ. Take them to Jesus in the tabernacle; guide them in how to share their hearts with Jesus; encourage them to make brief visits to Jesus there on their own. Tell them to give Jesus "Prime Time" in their hearts and in their lives.
The need to prepare our students for times of prayer in quiet and stillness is crucial, because it is often in the silence of our hearts that God speaks to us.
-silence stills our restless hearts (St. Augustine)
-"Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence." (1 Kgs. 19)
-
TIMES TO PRAY
We learn to pray at certain moments by hearing the Word of the Lord and sharing in his Paschal mystery, but his Spirit is offered us at all times, in the events of each day, to make prayer spring up from us (CCC, no. 2659).
Listening to both St. Paul and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, we should live in a spirit of prayer, praying always.
We must remember God more often than we draw breath. But we cannot pray "at all times" if we do not pray at specific times, consciously willing it. These are the special times of Christian prayer, both in intensity and duration (CCC, no. 2697).
When with our students, we guide them in praying unceasingly by looking for situations that call us to pray, in the classroom, in the cafeteria, on the playground, or in other daily situations. When a possibly contentious situation arises between students, or while urging students to live like Christ and respect one another in a way that would please God, call the students to prayer. Share an appropriate Scripture verse after quieting them. Allow them to think about the verse, explaining to them its meaning when necessary. Do not be afraid to briefly "preach" on a verse or two, as our vocation as catechists calls us to witness to our students, breaking open and unpacking the Scriptures. Show them that God wants to hear from his children at all times, in all circumstances. Children can be introduced to lectio divina at a young age and be taught to unpack the Scriptures by themselves. This is a valuable skill that will stay with them their entire lives.
It is common in catechetical situations to involve our students in Intercessory Prayer. We start our catechesis with the Sign of the Cross, the sign of our faith, usually followed by a formal prayer, and ask our students whom they would like to pray for. It is crucial that they understand the importance of interceding for the living and deceased friends and members of our family, all the Body of Christ. These people depend on our prayers for them at all times.
FORMAL AND INFORMAL PRAYER
We know that there is a need for both formal and informal prayer, both vocal and silent prayer. The Catechism tells us, "The Tradition of the Church proposes to the faithful certain rhythms of praying intended to nourish continual prayer. Some are daily, such as morning and evening prayer, grace before and after meals, the Liturgy of the Hours. Sundays, centered on the Eucharist, are kept holy primarily by prayer. The cycle of the liturgical year and its great feasts are also basic rhythms of the Christian's life of prayer." (CCC, no. 2698)
Recognizing that prayer is a gift from God, and that God calls man first, we are moved by the Holy Spirit to respond to his invitation to be in relationship with him. While we might fill our lives with busy-ness, with study of everything in the world but him, "yet the living and true God tirelessly calls each person to that mysterious encounter known as prayer" (CCC, no. 2567).
We make sure that our students know the formal prayers (the Our Father; the Hail Mary; the Glory Be; the Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love; the Act of Contrition; the Apostles' Creed; the Nicene Creed) because we pray these in community, in worship together as the family of the Church. These prayers can also assist us in times of dryness, as we learn from reading the lives of many saints.
PRAYING WITH SACRED SCRIPTURE
In Sacred Scripture, especially the Gospels, we do not simply learn about Jesus, but are brought into intimate contact with him. "The Church 'forcefully and specially exhorts all the Christian faithful . . . to learn 'the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ" (Phil 3:8) by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures. . . . Let them remember, however, that prayer should accompany the reading of Sacred Scripture, so that a dialogue takes place between God and man. For 'we speak to him when we pray; we listen to him when we read the divine oracles.'" (CCC, no. 2653)
-in SS is revealed the relationship of God and his people in a dialogue of love