Prayer
This is considered the highest form of prayer in the Church.
The Mass
Name two strategies for staying engaged at Mass.
Preparation — Read Mass readings ahead of time
Participation — Sing, pray, use a missal/ worship aid, engage your senses (stained glass windows, incense, holy water, icons, Eucharist, kneeling, standing, etc.)
Prayer — Offer an intention for the altar
Identify and describe three strategies for building a habit of prayer.
1. Cultivate silence
2. Consider the environment
3. Create routine
Name three steps you can take to help you discern God's will. (Per the article you read)
Talk to someone you respect; find some solitude; start with what you know; tell God your fears and desires; let God speak to you; know that God has a plan for you; pray to do God's will; wait; prayerfully commit; check out the fruits.
St. Ignatius of Loyola
Define prayer according to the Catholic understanding.
Acceptable answers:
Prayer is...
- a conversation with God
- a raising of one's mind and heart to God
- the response of faith, according to the Catechism.
Identify one story from Scripture that points to the Eucharist and/or the Liturgy.
- Manna in the desert
- Bread of Life discourse
- Feeding of the 5,000
Name three reasons why we should pray.
Purpose: we are made for friendship with God.
Humility: we need God.
Obedience: God calls us to follow him and to pray.
Identify and explain Fr. Mike Schmitz's four rules for discernment.
Good door: Does it lead me to sin, or is it good for me (or at least neutral)?
Open door: Do I actually have access to this choice?
Wise door: Knowing myself and my current situation, does this door make sense? Is it a wise choice?
Desire: Is this a door that I want to walk through?
Name a saint(s) that shows us how to be a saint even in unimpressive circumstances.
St. Therese of Lisieux
Bl. Solanus Casey
Explain what is being sacrificed at the Mass.
Through the transformation of the offered bread and wine into Jesus' own body and blood, Jesus' sacrifice of himself on the cross is made present (re-presented) at every Mass.
Fill in the blank: "Prayer and ______ are inseparable." CCC 2745
Hint: 3 words
The Christian Life
Describe spiritual desolation.
We are moving away from God's work in the world. We experience increasing inward/self-centered focus, become gloomy and despondent, and lose the ability to see God's work in our lives clearly.
Name a saint(s) who encourages us to persevere in prayer even when things seems hopeless.
St. Teresa of Calcutta
Servant of God Walter Ciszek
Give an example of each of the three main expressions of prayer.
Vocal: journaling, memorized prayers (Hail Mary, Our Father, Apostle's Creed, etc.), free style prayer
Meditative: Rosary, Examen, Lectio Divina (meditating on Scripture), reflecting on sacred art or religious writings
Contemplative: Adoration, resting in God's love
What ancient religious practice does the Mass replace?
Sacrifice to God
Name three spiritual qualities that help us when prayer is difficult.
Humility, trust, and perseverance
Describe spiritual consolation.
The sense that I am moving in the right direction. Spiritual consolation leads me closer to God, into deeper communion with others, and helps me to look outside of myself to the needs of others. We grow in love, faith, and virtue.
Describe what the saints do for us.
- Pray for us
- Cheer us on
- Model the Christian life - especially perseverance in the face of our own weakness/sinfulness, challenges in prayer, and suffering
Name 4 types of prayer in the Catholic tradition.
Possible answers: blessing, adoration, petition, intercession, praise, lamentation, discernment, thanksgiving