God Calls us to PrayGod Calls us to Pray

USCCA Chapter 35USCCA Chapter 35

Wednesday, April 19, 2023Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Session 1: God Calls us to PraySession 1: God Calls us to Pray

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023

1. St. Thérèse of Lisieux defines prayer as a:

a. Surge of the heart.

b. Simple look turned toward heaven.

c. A cry of recognition and love, embracing both trial and joy.

Session 1: God Calls us to PraySession 1: God Calls us to Pray

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023

2. Prayer:

a. Is a vital and personal relationship with God.

b. Is always connected to catechesis, making doctrine come alive.

Session 1: God Calls us to PraySession 1: God Calls us to Pray

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023

3. Scripture gives us a history of prayer.

a. Old Testament examples include Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Hannah, Esther, David and the Psalms and Judith.

b. In calling God ‘Abba’, Jesus both models and teaches us how to pray.

Session 1: God Calls us to PraySession 1: God Calls us to Pray

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023

3. Scripture gives us a history of prayer.

c. The prayer of the New Testament Church gives us the basic form of praying:

i. Adoration – acknowledging God as the source of all.

ii. Petition – presenting our needs to God.

Session 1: God Calls us to PraySession 1: God Calls us to Pray

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023

3. Scripture gives us a history of prayer.

c. The prayer of the New Testament Church gives us the basic form of praying:

iii. Intercession – praying for the needs of others.

iv. Thanksgiving – especially in and through the Eucharist.

Session 1: God Calls us to PraySession 1: God Calls us to Pray

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023

3. Scripture gives us a history of prayer.

c. The prayer of the New Testament Church gives us the basic form of praying:

v. Praise - exulting God for who He is.

Session 1: God Calls us to PraySession 1: God Calls us to Pray

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023

4. Sources of prayer include:

a. The Scriptures.

b. The Liturgy.

c. God’s life living in us through the gifts of the theological virtues (faith, hope and love).

Session 1: God Calls us to PraySession 1: God Calls us to Pray

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023

5. Mary has a unique role in our prayer life as our model and intercessor.

a. The ‘Hail Mary’ gives us a Scriptural and ecclesial (church) model of praying with her.

b. The rosary allows us to contemplate the key events in the life of Jesus with the intercession of Mary.

Session 1: God Calls us to PraySession 1: God Calls us to Pray

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023

6. The tradition of pray in the Church has been supported by:

a. Schools of spirituality.

b. Parents and family prayer.

Session 1: God Calls us to PraySession 1: God Calls us to Pray

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023

6. The tradition of pray in the Church has been supported by:

c. Men and women religious.

d. Parish religious education.

Session 1: God Calls us to PraySession 1: God Calls us to Pray

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023

7. The primary expressions of prayer are:

a. Vocal – from the lips.

b. Meditative – from the mind.

c. Contemplative – from the heart.

Session 1: God Calls us to PraySession 1: God Calls us to Pray

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023

8. Prayer requires work and effort. Problems in prayer include:

a. Acedia (a form of spiritual laziness).

b. Distractions, which reveal to us our attachments.

Session 1: God Calls us to PraySession 1: God Calls us to Pray

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023

For Discussion:For Discussion:

1. (From the USCCA p. 461-462.) Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s life is a testimony to devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. What role does Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament have in your life at this time? How can you deepen your love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament?

2. How does our culture make it difficult to pray?