catholic family faith

Simply Praying

When “experts” teach us to pray, it often seems difficult.  You need to spend at least 30 minutes sitting quietly.  You need to try to put all your thoughts and concerns out of your mind.  You have to follow a certain formula to fully experience deep prayer.

I don’t know about you, but I have a difficult time doing that.  I would like to propose a different kind of prayer life…simply praying.

Here are some examples of simply praying:

·         When I awaken, as I become aware of my surroundings, but before I open my eyes, I pray, “Thank you, God, for the night’s rest and the blessing of this new day.”  As I open my eyes, I pray, “Thank you, God, for the gift of sight.  May I use this gift to see the beauty of your creation.”

·         When I get out of bed, I pray, “Thank you, God, for the gift of movement.  May I appreciate this gift and use it to give glory to you.”

·         When I eat, I pray, “Thank you, God, for this food and drink.  May it nourish and strengthen my body so that I may have the energy to do what needs to be done today.”

·         As I shower, I pray, “Thank you, God, for the gift of refreshing water and soap.  By cleansing my body, may it help me to remember that through your love, I may be cleansed of all my sin.”

·         As I begin my work, I pray, “God help me to do well today, to listen to your voice in my heart so that the decisions I make today may be guided by your Holy Spirit.”

·         Whenever I encounter a situation in which I need to make a decision, I pray, “God, what should I do?  Help me to know the best answer or solution to this question or situation.”

In his first letter to the Thessalonians, St. Paul wrote:  “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).  Do you think it is impossible to pray without ceasing?  St. Paul tells us the key to praying without ceasing:  “In everything, give thanks.”  Give thanks for everything you have as you use it – water, food, clothing, soap, chairs, air, etc.  Give thanks for your abilities and talents.  Give thanks for family and friends.  If we offered thanksgiving to God for every blessing in our lives, we would have to pray without ceasing in order to thank God for everything…and even then, we would not be able to give thanks for EVERYTHING!

There are times for formal ritual and worship, and we need to be aware of those times and participate in them as much as possible.  And there are times when we are able to and should take 30 minutes to be quiet and meditate on God’s goodness or just contemplate God.  For our every day life, though, we can simply pray.

Lord's Day Faith Chat - 9th Sunday in Ordinary Time - June 1, 2008

BEFORE MASS

Take 30 seconds:  Consider how well you listen to your parents, spouse, children, God.

Scripture Readings: Deuteronomy 11:18,26-28,32; Psalm 31:2-4,17,25; Romans 3:21-25,28; Matthew 7:21-27

Family Perspective: Sometimes we don’t listen very well to our parents, spouses, and children...or the Word of God in the Holy Scriptures and our experiences of God in our daily lives.  The key to good communication in the family is active listening, taking time to pay attention and really hear what the other person is saying.  The key to living a strong life of faith in Christ is to actively listen to God’s Word, be aware of God’s presence with us always, and live our lives based on the will of God.

AFTER MASS

Chat:

Adults/Youth:  How firm is your faith in Jesus Christ?  What can you begin doing this week to make your faith foundation more rock solid?

Children:  What will you do to show Jesus that you love him this week?

Family Response:  Together as a family, decide on one activity that you might do monthly, weekly, or even daily through the summer to make your family’s faith foundation more rock solid.  You might consider visiting a homebound family member or parishioner, doing yard work for a neighbor, baking cookies for a friend, praying together at the end of the day, or anything else your family suggests.

Pray:  Lord Jesus Christ, inspire us with your Holy Spirit to truly hear the words of your Gospel and put them into action with the words and deeds of our lives.  Amen.

Mother's Day Blessing

A son or daughter leads the family in the following:

Leader:      Dearest mother, for saying yes to our life and for offering us the chance to live and grow.

Children:   We say, thank you.

Leader:      For the times when we just needed someone to talk to, and you were there.

Children:   We say, thank you.

Leader:      For the times when no one believed in us, and you stood firmly by us.

Children:   We say, thank you.

Leader:      For the times when you did so much for us, and expected so little or nothing in return.

Children:   We say, thank you.

Leader:      For the times when we messed up, and you graciously embraced and forgave us.

Children:   We say, thank you.

Leader:      For the times when we were sick, and you gave us your special, loving, motherly care.

Children:   We say, thank you.

Children:   We believe in you, Mom.  You are someone who is very important to us, not because of the things you do, but because you are the person you are.  We honor you and love you.  We love you for who you are and not for who we pretend or hope you to be.  If you have hurt us in any way, we forgive you.  We know in our hearts that you are God’s gift to us.

Lord's Day Faith Chat - May 11, 2008

Pentecost

BEFORE MASS

Take 30 seconds:  Recall a time when you were afraid.  What or who helped you find peace? 

Scripture Readings:  Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 104:1,24,29-31,34; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7,12-13; John 20:19-23

Family Perspective:  A parent’s presence can bring peace to a frightened child, just like Jesus brought peace to the disciples in today's gospel. As bread and wine bring us Christ's presence in the Eucharist, parents are the instruments of Christ's presence in the home. 

AFTER MASS

Chat:

Adults/Youth/Children:  What is your favorite symbol of the Holy Spirit (fire, dove, wind, or others)?  How does that symbol remind you of the Holy Spirit?

Family Response:  Make or purchase a simple kite.  (Find kite making directions on the parish website or the Internet.)  On a breezy afternoon, go outside and fly your kite.  Talk about how the wind is like the Holy Spirit…even though we can’t see the wind, we know it’s there because of the power it has on the kite…

Pray:  Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in us the fire of your love.  Amen.

Lord's Day Faith Chat - May 4, 2008

BEFORE MASS

Take 30 seconds:  Remember the promises of your baptism…to believe in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Scripture Readings:  Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47:2-3,6-9; Ephesians 1:17-23; Matthew 28:16-20

Family Perspective:  Parents should read today's gospel as: "Make disciples of your children, baptizing and teaching them to live as I have commanded.  And don't worry, I am with you always."  What a great and awesome responsibility!  But remember, Christ is always with you, guiding you to share your faith with your children so that they, too, may live as his disciples.

AFTER MASS

Chat:

Adults:  In what ways have you helped others learn to know Jesus?

Youth/Children:  What things or people remind you that Jesus is with you always?

Family Response:  Together as a family, find a patch of soft grass and lie down in the warm sunshine.  Look up to the sky.  If there are clouds, use your imaginations to see the shapes in the clouds.  Talk about how you have experienced God’s goodness as you lie there enjoying God’s creation.

Pray:  Faithful Lord Jesus, help us to always remember and know that you are with us, guiding us in your ways.  Amen.