How often do we encounter God? Directions: Match each statement with the corresponding solution in the form of a picture Volunteer One will read statement to class posing a conflict Volunteer two will choose an appropriate solution in the form of a picture by simply showing it to the class

Think-Aloud How often do you encounter God? How does God answer your prayers? When does it feel as though you are closest to God?

How does God answer? What role did volunteer one play? What role did volunteer two play? What did the statements represent? What did the pictures represent? It is through prayer that we open the lines of communication with God, and often we are inclined to expect a verbal answer. It is easy to forget how often we encounter God daily, as well as the many forms through which he reveals himself to us and answers our prayers, we just have to remember to be looking or listening for the answers.

What is prayer? Chapter Four

What is prayer? How was prayer used in the activity? In what ways did it compare/contrast to how you pray? What are the different forms of prayer?

On a separate piece of paper, please write: Three worries you felt the past week Three good things that happened The things you want/need

1. The church defines prayer as lifting the mind and heart to God 2. Prayer is talking to God 3. Prayer can be a response to God, a conversation with God, listening to God, praising God, Thanking God or asking God for something 4. How many of the statements you have written sound like prayers? 5. Check off the items on the list you’ve prayed about

Why do we pray? Turn to page 30: “Prayer: A Must” Why is prayer so important? ACKNOWLEDGEMENT KNOWING LOVING Even the son of God needed to pray Prayer = breathing Why is prayer is important?

How do we pray: forms of prayer 1. Gratitude: expressing thanks 2. Petition: something you really need 3. Personal prayer: private 4. Communal prayer: amongst a community, strengthens our unity in Christ

“You will seek Me and find Me with all your heart” Jeremiah 29:13 How do we find God?

We lift our listening hearts… DO NOW: When you are listening in class, what must you do? What would a listening heart look like? What are the two most important steps for prayer? Lets practice… What is a kind of place personal prayer takes place? Meeting Jesus: A guided meditation

Jesus & Mary: Our models for prayer What keywords can you think of to summarize Jesus’ teaching on prayer? How do you think Mary, a Jewish girl, prayed? What attitude made Mary a prayer? To whom else did Mary listen? What are some examples?

Mary: the best prayer Liturgy: public worship of the church Persevere, unselfish, faith, ask the Father would be Jesus’ advice to us Mary prayed the psalms, listened to scripture during prayer With Her listening and accepting attitude, she became a better prayer She used prayer to better understand those in need Such as the church members Liturgy: public worship of the church The Mass is the church’s great community prayer

Saints: powerful prayers Do Now: Which saint do you admire and why? What qualities do they exercise? How often do you think they prayed?

Do Now: “Even if we already have a mother, we still have to find this part of ourselves inside” Reflect on this quote What is this quote saying about the influence of the Holy Spirit? In what ways do we exhibit the Mother of Mary?

St. Agnes Importance of St. Agnes as Patroness of Diocese: St. Agnes is widely known as the patron saint of young girls and children of Mary.   She is often represented with a lamb, the symbol of her virgin innocence, and a palm branch, like other martyrs. She is shown as a young girl in robes holding a palm branch with the lamb either at her feet or in her arms. https://www.dropbox.com/s/fatz1srv1g39sap/bishop%20murphy.mp4?dl=0

Act of Faith O my God, I firmly believe that Thou art one God in three Divine Person, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; I believe that Thy Divine Son became man, and died for our sins, and that He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches, because Thou hast revealed them, who canst neither deceive nor be deceived. Amen.

Adoration Worship It involves exalting the greatness of God as we depend on him An example of this type of prayer during mass the Gloria Privately one could practice an Act of Faith

Our Father Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Petition Request to God, typically for spiritual and physical needs. Should always include a statement of our willingness to accept God’s will Our Father is the most common example of petition

Thanksgiving Grace before meals is the best example of this type of prayer Involves consciously thanking God for your blessings Should be done throughout the day

The Act of Contrition O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of Heaven, and the pains of Hell; but most of all because I love Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

Contrition Usually related to the sacrament of confession A repentance of one’s sins Unless we acknowledge our sins and ask for God’s forgiveness, we cannot receive the grace we need to become better Christians It is an important practice in our spiritual growth

Ora et Labora What does this mean? How can we express it? Prayer  work How can we express it? Choose a form of prayer and draft one for a person/group in need