Session 8: Prayer & Devotions

Download the Leader’s Guide: Going Deeper

Opening Prayer:
Loving God, send your Spirit to open our hearts to Jesus.
Guide us to a deeper conversion.
Grant us a greater appreciation of the beauty of our Catholic faith.
Give us the courage and confidence to joyfully share our faith with others.
May your Church be a beacon of light for all who seek your loving presence.
Be with us now as we explore our prayers and devotions.
Mary, faithful Mother of God, intercede for us.
We make this prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, forever and ever. Amen.

Scripture: 
Matthew 6:5-15
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew
When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and do not subject us to the nal test, but deliver us from the evil one. If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.

The Gospel of the Lord:
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Suggested Opening Song: 
Sacred Silence by Tom Booth and Jenny Pixler
 

Video # 1: Faithful of the Archdiocese of Dubuque

Discussion Questions:

1. Which prayer form has been most meaningful to you?
2. When has prayer been most important in your life?
3. Have you ever felt like you’ve failed at prayer?
4. What type of prayer would you like to try or to grow in?

Video #2: Faithful of the Archdiocese of Dubuque

Discussion Questions:

1. If you were raised Catholic, which devotion do you remember most fondly from childhood?
2. Which devotion do you find most intriguing? Which devotion seems strange to you (especially if you are not Catholic nor raised Catholic)?
3. Which devotion would you like to start in your home?
4. Pope Francis acknowledges the importance of devotions to the life of the faithful; have you experienced a special devotion from another culture? Please share your experience.

Conclusion:

• What did you learn about Prayer and Devotions?
• What did you like best about hte session?
• What is one thing you will share with someone at hoome or in your sphere of influence?
• What difference does it make in one’s life to pray and to participate in Catholic devotions? 

Suggested Closing Song: 
Take Me, As I Am (Taize Prayer)

Prayer in Thanksgiving for the Gift of Catholic Prayer and Devotions:
Loving God, you have called each of us to be formed in your image.
Thank you for the gift of your living presence.
Grant us a deep desire to be in a living relationship with you through daily prayer.
Help us to be men and women who bring your presence to others.
Give us the strength and courage to live as the Body of Christ.
Make us into people of thanksgiving.
Mary, Blessed Mother of the Word Incarnate, intercede for us.
We make this prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, forever and ever. Amen.