Chapter 10 Jesus Teaches Us to Pray Prayer

Chapter 10: Jesus Teaches Us to Pray

Prayer: Better for you to enter into life maimed than to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. MARK 9 Dear God, Gehanna, Jerusalem's garbage dumping ground seems a fitting description or metaphor for hell. Cleanse me of my sin through my acts of penance so as to purify the love I share with my family. Amen.

Journal: https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=l. OUQ 73 YShak http: //www. wordonfire. org/resources/article/thedisorienting-quality-of-real-prayer/5103/ What insights does Bishop Barron draw from the life and thought of Iris Murdoch and learning a new language? What does Bishop Barron say about the audience and the performer in prayer? How does prayer compare to Rock & Roll?

Jesus Is Our Best Guide to Prayer We can learn everything we need to know about prayer from Jesus.

Jesus should be our model for prayer. Also, through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus prays alongside of us. We should look to Jesus for an example of how to pray, and what to pray for.

Jesus set aside time to pray. Some of those times were of special importance to his life and ministry. After his baptism by John in the Jordan River, Jesus went into the desert for a forty day retreat to pray before beginning his public ministry. It was during this time that he was tempted by the devil, and his prayer sustained him.

Jesus set aside time to pray. Some of those times were of special importance to his life and ministry. Before selecting his Apostles, Jesus spent the whole night in prayer, knowing how important a step he was about to take.

Jesus set aside time to pray. Some of those times were of special importance to his life and ministry. After performing his first miracles of healing and the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, Jesus withdrew from the crowds to pray.

Jesus set aside time to pray. Some of those times were of special importance to his life and ministry. The night before Peter confessed Jesus to be the Messiah, the Lord could be found praying.

Jesus set aside time to pray. Some of those times were of special importance to his life and ministry. Jesus had gone up to the top of a mountain to pray, when he was Transfigured and Moses and Elijah appeared with him.

Jesus set aside time to pray. Some of those times were of special importance to his life and ministry. After the Last Supper, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed to be spared the torture and death he saw before him.

Jesus also prayed as a faithful Jew. He celebrated religious festivals, such as Passover, which always centered around prayer. He participated in synagogue services each Sabbath, and would have joined in the major prayers recited there. The Shema (“Hear”), confessed the belief that God is one: Hear O Israel, the Lord our God the Lord is one. The Jewish Eighteen Benedictions asked God for wisdom, forgiveness, and help. The Kaddish asked that people hallow and glorify God’s name throughout the world, and that God would fully establish his kingdom soon.

Jesus frequently recited from the Bible’s prayer book: the Psalms. Jesus sang the Psalms during worship services in the Temple in Jerusalem. He sang them with his Apostles after the Last Supper. Jesus even quoted Psalm 22 (a prayer that begins with lament of abandonment, but ends with confident faith that God will rescue the innocent) as he was dying on the cross.

From the teaching and example of Jesus, we receive instructions on how to pray. MATRIX OF PRAYER Sincerity Simplicity Persistence Faith

From the teaching and example of Jesus, we receive instructions on how to pray. Pray with sincerity. Jesus spoke out against prideful displays of religiosity. He told his followers to go to a private place and pray to the Father in secret. We should not take this advice to mean that we are hiding something when we pray, but that we focus on our communication with God rather than what others will see. This helps us to purify our motives for prayer.

From the teaching and example of Jesus, we receive instructions on how to pray. Pray with childlike simplicity. God can read our hearts as well as our lips, so elaborate multiplication of words is not necessary for effective prayer. We should pray with the confidence of little children approaching their loving Father.

From the teaching and example of Jesus, we receive instructions on how to pray. Pray with persistence. Jesus told his disciples to ask, knock, and seek—always expecting an answer from our loving Father. Jesus told a parable about an unjust judge and a persistent widow to underscore the importance of persistence in prayer. We should pray without giving up. How much more will a loving God respond to our persistence, if a widow can receive justice through refusing to give up?

From the teaching and example of Jesus, we receive instructions on how to pray. Pray with faith. Jesus used images his disciples would have thought to be impossible to illustrate the importance of trusting that God will answer our prayers—like moving mountains by our faith. Jesus’ message still applies to us today. We must trust in our loving God, and have faith that he will respond to our prayer by giving us all that we need.

From the teaching and example of Jesus, we receive instructions on how to pray. Pray with others. In addition to praying to our heavenly Father in secret, Jesus also urged his disciples to know that praying with others is important. He said, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them. ” When we gather together for Mass, we bring Christ’s presence alive—both in the Eucharist, and in the community of believers.

From the teaching and example of Jesus, we receive instructions on how to pray. Pray with a forgiving heart. Jesus instructed his disciples to approach God with a calm and loving spirit. Specifically, if they had a grievance with someone, they were to settle it and approach God after forgiving the offender. This is still important advice for us today. Our hearts and minds cannot properly focus on God if they are full of malice against one of his

Prayer Journal (Part 1) Compose your own prayer using the following traditional format: Opening address – calling God by name (Father, Almighty God, Abba, etc. ) Praise (for the beauty of creation; God’s goodness; God’s majesty) Thanksgiving (whatever you are thankful for) Petition (any needs you want to take to God)

Prayer Journal (Part 2) Answer the following questions as best as possible: 1. 2. 3. 4. What is your definition of prayer Where is the best place for you to pray? When is the best time for you to pray? On what occasion do you usually turn to God in prayer?

Prayer Journal (Part 3) – The Psalms Locate and read the following six Psalms: Psalm 30 Psalm 38 Psalm 51 Psalm 96 Psalm 104 Psalm 148 1. Identify the type of prayer in the Psalm: praise, petition, thanksgiving, contrition, or intercession (each psalm may have more than one type). 2. Write down a verse or line from the Psalms that particularly appeals to you and say why.

Prayer Journal (Part 4) – Seeking solitude Read the following passages from the Gospels. Then answer the three questions that follow Luke 4: 1 -11 Mark 1: 35 -37 Luke 6: 12 -13 Luke 5: 15 -16 Matthew 14: 13 -33 Mark 14: 32 -42 1. What happened when Jesus went off to pray? 2. Tell about a time when you longed to be alone to think or pray. 3. What is the difference between “being alone” and “being lonely”?