“We Believe” Christian Prayer: “Lord, teach us how to pray!” May 14, 2008

Prayer Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God, or the petition of good things from him in accord with his will. It is always the gift of God who comes to encounter man. Christian prayer is the personal and living relationship of the children of God with their Father who is infinitely good, with his Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit who dwells in their hearts.(CCCC #534)

How do Catholics pray? Devotional Prayer – rosary, litanies, novenas, formal prayer & other pious practices Scripture – lectio divina, study, preaching Personal Prayer – formal and informal dialogue with God, contemplation Group Prayer – faith sharing, scripture study, support groups, spiritual direction Liturgical Prayer – Sacred Liturgy (“Mass”) – Liturgy of the Hours – Sacraments and Sacramentals – Eucharistic Adoration

Different Prayer Types These are not exclusive groupings, but simply a presentation of the wide palate of prayer activities and prayer styles. Think of approaching this palate as one would try to have a balanced diet of food – All of these prayer types complement one another – Something may be missing in the spiritual life if one or more ‘prayer groups’ are missing.

Devotional Prayer de votum (Latin): of or relating to a vow or the fulfillment of religious obligations – Often vocal form of prayer, often private, leads one into deeper reflection on the mysteries of the faith and paves the road for better practice of the other forms of prayer.

Devotional Prayer The Rosary… a series of formal prayers reflecting on the life of Jesus and Mary Litanies… a series of prayers of intercession based on the saints or the mysteries of God. Novenas… prayer or series of formal prayer said over nine days (weeks, months, etc)

Devotional Prayer – The Rosary Often attributed to St. Dominic, but his role was more one of being a champion of ‘revival’ than ‘invention’. Usually found as 5 sets of 10 beads with a single large bead between the sets. Each bead represents a prayer. Each set of beads is to be prayed with reflection on a particular mystery in the life of Christ or Mary.

Devotional Prayer – The Rosary The Mysteries of the Rosary – Joyful Annunciation Visitation Nativity Presentation Finding in the Temple – Luminous (JP2) Baptism of Jesus Wedding at Cana Proclamation of the Kingdom Transfiguration Institution of the Eucharist – Sorrowful Agony in the Garden Scourging at the Pillar Crowning with Thorns Carrying of the Cross Crucifixion – Glorious Resurrection Ascension Descent of the Holy Spirit Assumption Coronation of Mary Prayers of the Rosary – Creed – Our Father – Hail Mary (x3) – Our Father with First Mystery – Hail Mary (x10) – Glory Be… – Our Father with Second Mystery – Hail Mary (x10) – Glory Be… etc... – Hail Holy Queen

Devotional Prayer Other prayers may be said on the rosary: – Alternate sets of mysteries Archbishop Buechlien (of Indianapolis) for vocations Other rosaries/chaplets – The Divine Mercy Chaplet (of St. Faustina) “Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of your only begotton Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.” “For the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world”

Scripture Scripture is the Word of God, honored as such. “Ignorance of Scripture is Ignorance of Christ” – St. Jerome Styles of reading for basic comprehension – According to the liturgical schedule – Individual, study groups, academic programs – Straight-through (Bible through the year… others) Styles of prayer – Devotional reading, Lectio divina

Lectio Divina – sacred reading A monastic form, originally done in communal silence, but typically done individually today. Four elements (usually over ½ hour to an hour) – Lectio (slow, purposeful reading, select focus) – Meditatio (ruminating, ‘pondering in the heart’) – Oratio (dialogue with God, open to transformation) – Contempatio (rest in the presence of God’s silence)

Reading Scripture in the Church Catholics read scripture, attempting to discern and appreciate its fullest meaning – Literal Meaning – Allegorical/Symbolic Sense (“sustained metaphor”) – Tropological/Moral Sense – Anagogical Sense (death, judgment, heaven, hell) The best preaching, study, interpretation takes all of these into account, where able.

Personal Prayer Prayer can take place in any place, at any time, using any words or none at all. – Four Basic Types of Prayer Praise/Adoration Sorrow/Contrition Petition/Intercession Thansgiving – “to the Father, in Christ, through the Holy Spirit.” – Sovereignty of the Will of God

Contemplative Prayer Hans Urs von Balthasar… Das Betrachtende Gebet – Prayer is dialogue in God’s language – God speaks first, we try to make sense of it as God teaches us how to speak. – God’s Word is inexhaustable and eternally continues to be uttered, even as we resort to prayer in our exhaustion and perhaps find frustration. – “I” and “Thou”… contemplation as looking into the depths of the soul where God is found, BUT prayer is more than self- fulfillment. – Prayer presupposes the Word of God within us… Mary as model of receptivity leading to spiritual possession. – The role of the Church is to stir us up, keep us fresh and challenged when the spiritual life becomes familiar.

Group Prayer “Where two or more are gathered in my name, there am I also.” Matt 18:20 Faith Sharing Groups – Cursillo, Koinonia, TEC, Legion of Mary, Altar Societies, St. Vincent DePaul societies, Dead Theologians Society, other local groups Lay Orders/Apostolates – Third Order Franciscans/Dominicans/etc, Opus Dei, Regnum Christi Scripture Study/Prayer Support Groups – Caritas Christi Spiritual Direction

Liturgical Prayer Formal, public prayer of the Church “Liturgy” from the Greek – leos = the people, public – ergon = work Often misunderstood as “work of the people”, better understood as “public works” Sacred Liturgy (Mass) as source and summit of Christian prayer.

Liturgical Prayer Sacred Liturgy – The Mass Liturgy of the Hours Celebration of the Sacraments – marriage, reconciliation, anointing, etc. Blessings and Sacramentals – Instituted by the Church to sanctify different circumstances in life, to praise God and ask for his gifts. – Connects person/item/condition into the life and prayer of the entire Church

Liturgical Prayer: Eucharistic Adoration Eucharistic Adoration as an extension of the worship which happens at Mass. – Properly speaking, “adoration” goes on all the time where the Eucharist is reserved. – “Exposition” goes on where the Blessed Sacrament is on display for the veneration and worship of the faithful. Many types of prayer take place before the Blessed Sacrament – Should redirect and deepen one’s focus on the Eucharistic Sacrifice of the Mass, and dispose a person to more fruitful reception of Holy Communion at Mass.

The End Next Week: Sacraments of Vocation: Holy Orders, Marriage