Unit 1 - Prayer Lesson 3 - How to Pray

Danish philosopher/theologian

6 “P’s” of Prayer! Prayer is an act of love that can be enhanced by following “6 Ps”:  place: find a place where you can be in God’s presence  period of time: set aside a designated time for prayer  posture: assume a posture that helps you be alert and relaxed  presence: remember that you are in God’s presence so that you can be present to God  passage: one common way to enter into prayer is to be begin with Scripture  persistence: 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 Prayer Mental Prayer: conversing with or reflecting on God, sometimes leading into contemplation (a form of silent, wordless prayer where we rest in God’s presence) Vocal Prayer: prayer expressed in words, we do as Jesus taught in the Our Father Individual or in a group Meditation: prayerful reflection, especially on the Word of God in Scripture, using our thoughts, emotions, imaginations, and desires to “tune into God.”

Example of Vocal Prayer Prayer of St. Francis de Sales ( ) My God, I give you this day. I offer You, now, all of the good that I shall do and I promise to accept, for love of You, all of the difficulty that I shall meet. Help me to conduct myself during this day in a manner pleasing to You. Amen

Process of initiating and growing a relationship: 1. The stranger is greeted and welcomed. 2. Introductory conversations takes the form of small talk. 3. As the relationship grows and deepens over time conversation centers on matters of importance. 4. As the relationship grows even silence is a comfortable experience. 5. With care and attention, the process of growing in relationship remains open to new and deeper experiences

Volunteers???  Recall an experience of meeting and getting to know a friend.  How would you welcome a new person into your home or group?  This person eventually becomes a friend.  What do you do and what do you say to encourage this friendship?

What does this quote mean to you? “ Learn how to meditate on paper. Drawing and writing are forms of meditation. Learn how to contemplate works of art. Learn how to pray in the streets or in the country. Know how to meditate not only when you have a book in your hand but when you are waiting for a bus or riding in a train.” Thomas Merton Catholic monk and writer

Meditation Prayer  Meditating on the Scriptures – handout  Follow steps outlined on the handout to aid in your meditation  Practice – Luke 5:1-11Luke 5:1-11 Meditation and Prayer

Meditating on the Scriptures Homework:  Meditating on the Scriptures Handout  Choose 1 of the 10 Scripture Passages listed on the handout  Use the handout to guide your meditation – follow the steps  Type a brief summary of passage (Explain what happened) and your conclusion at the end of your meditation (How did this meditation make you feel? Did you benefit from it? How? Did it help you to better make sense of the scripture passage and apply it to your life?)  Sync to OneNote in Homework tab titled “Meditating on the Scriptures”