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Engaging Faith

Practical Lesson Ideas and Activities for Catholic Educators
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Jesus Teaches about Prayer

Jesus taught several things about prayer and how to pray. Have the students read each of the following examples. Have them write a summary for each example and explain the teaching on prayer. (Same summaries are included with each passage.) Matthew 6:6-8 Keep your prayers short. Some people think by heaping on a lot of words their prayer will be more effective. But Jesus says its is better to keep your prayers short and to the point. Luke 11:9-13 Pray with childlike simplicity. Jesus said to prayer as if you were a child who is dependent on a parent for all your needs. He reminded us of the Father's great love which far surpasses the love of any earthly parent. Matthew 21:21-22 Pray with faith. God always answers each petition, giving an answer that is ultimately good for us. Sometimes, as with ayoung child begging for an unneeded toy, the answer is "no." Luke 11:5-8 Be persistent with your prayer. We are to keep petitioning God for all our needs as illustrated in the story of the person who visits the friend at an ungodly hour of night. The message is simple: God cannot resist answering the petitions of a person who is persistent in prayer. Mark 11: 25 Besides private prayer, Jesus encourages us to pray with others, to the point that he promises to be present when "two or three are gathered in my name." He also instructs the entire community of faith to come together and celebrate the Eucharist (see: Luke 22:19) Matthew 18:18-20 Jesus says to pray with a forgiving heart. He says that whatever we ask for in prayer will be given to us provided that we forgive anyone with whom we have a grievance. After the students have written their summaries, on a scale of 1 to 5 (5 being most difficult), have them rate how difficult it is for them to follow this teaching in their own lives. Finally, call on students to come in front of the class and be "on the spot" to answer answers some questions and dialogue more about prayer. Use the questions below and and some more of your own. Sample Questions Explain in your own words Jesus' teaching about forgiveness and prayer. Which teaching do you find most difficult? Why? Which teaching offers you the most encouragement for your prayer life? Why? Do you think there is anything that is not appropriate to pray for? Explain. Can you tell about an occasion when you were persistent in petitioning God? What was the result? Tell about a prayer of yours that was answered. Can you name two or three people you would feel comfortable praying with? Why? Share a short prayer in your own words for everyone gathered here.

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Air Strikes on Syria and the Just War Doctrine

The unfortunate civil war in Syria provides an opportunity for students, as Catholics, to research and evaluate the arguments they hear about the United States making air strikes against the country. Their thoughtful reflection may lead them to contact their senators or representatives in the US Congress. You may want to use the Engaging Faith blog entry, The Catholic Just War Theory Lesson Plan for the criteria for a just war. Review or introduce the just war doctrine to the students. Ask them to look at a map of Syria, noting which countries surround it. Explain some basic things about the country. (The CIA has basic information and map about each country online Ask students to evaluate these articles suggested below (or others of your choosing) in pairs or small groups and be ready to talk about the perspectives they have read in light of the just war theory. The first reading is from the US Catholic bishops. The next three articles are from key North American newspapers, one Canadian. The last is a statement by the UN Secretary General. As the students read through their articles, ask them to look for the answers to these questions. What is the writer’s overall thesis? Does the writer use data to support the thesis? Do you find any contradictions in the article? Does the writer use past examples of US military intervention to make his or her point? If so, what do these examples suggest? Which elements of the just war doctrine does the article address? Does the article support these principles? What question might you want to ask the author? Suggested articles, letters, and statements: Most Reverend Bishop Richard E. Pates, “Letter to Secretary of State Kerry,” August 30, 2013, USCCB Media News Releases The Editorial Board, “Debating the Case for Force,” The New York Times, September 2, 2013 Robin Wright, “The Risk of Taking on Syria,” The Los Angeles Times, August 29, 2013 The World Factbook: Syria Syria Cyber Profile   Teacher Background Information Link

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Prayer After the Boston Marathon 2013

Dear Jesus, It could have been any of us, resting after a race or cheering someone else in. Terrorism―targeting innocent civilians to instill widespread panic―worked for a while, because there was fear and chaos. Perhaps it was only one person who planted those bombs, but there were thousands who helped afterwards, risking injury and exhaustion, to help the wounded and to find out who was responsible and why. Thousands of people acted like you would have, Jesus. Millions prayed on behalf of those injured and their families. Thank you for being close to those in Boston who are suffering pain and loss. Discourage people from becoming fearful and suspicious of each other. Bring conversion to the heart of the perpetrators so that they will turn themselves in, helping them see that there is no victory in killing, no success. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all of the faithful departed, through your mercy, rest in peace. Amen.

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Guided Meditation: The Woman Caught in Adultery

The Gospel for the Fifth Sunday of Lent is from John 8:1-11. To prepare your students to hear God's Word, pray this guided meditation with them during the week. Begin by saying: "This meditation takes you next to Jesus as he is confronted with amoral dilemma. Allow yourself to listen carefully and watch intensely as this drama unfolds and Jesus asks each of us, 'Who are you to throw the first stone?' Prepare yoursef... Enter in this place. Relax. Sit quietly. Breathe in. Hold. Breathe out. Breathe in. Hold. Breathe out. Be still. Relax. Let all your worries fly away. Breathe in. Hold. Breathe out. Breathe in. Hold. Breathe out. Imagine... Hear the sounds of city life. Feel all the people surrounding Jesus. You are there on the streets with Jesus. You are listening to his teaching. Imagine yourself there. Some important men from the Temple come pushing through the crowd. They are dragging a lady by both arms. They push her in front of Jesus. She falls at Jesus' feet. Listen to the gossip of the crowd. "This woman," they say, "was caught in the act of adultery. The law tells us that we should stone her. What do you think, Jesus?" There is a pause. People near you pick up stones. They are eager. Sit with this energy around you. Look for Jesus. He is bent down drawing in the sand. Everyone is waiting. Be with the waiting. The crowd is restless. The woman is just there, alone. Look at her. Jesus finally stops playing with the sand. He looks up but does not stand up. He is ready to speak. You listen attentively. Everybody quiets down. He says, "Let the one among you who has never sinned throw the first stone." He bends down again, drawing in the sand with his finger. What do you think? What do you feel as you watch him? People around you toss their stones on the ground, shrug their shoulders, walk away. The important men stomp away angrily. Look at Jesus and the woman before him. Jesus finally stands up. He looks around. He asks the lady, "Where did everyone go—did no one condemn you?" The woman answers, "No one, sir." Jesus looks into her eyes. "Neither do I condemn you. Go home and do not sin again." Watch what happens. How does the woman respond? Jesus turns to you. He tells you, "Look into your own life." Do what Jesus says. Examine your life. Where have you sinned? Where have you judged? Tell Jesus. Listen to his reply. It's time to come back to this place. Say good-bye. Ask Jesus to enger your heart as you go into your day. Tell him thank you. Gently open your eyes. Remember what you just experienced. Slowly sit up. This Guided Meditation was originally published in Encountering Jesus: 20 Guided Meditations on His Care and Compassion by Patty McCulloch. bobosh_t via photopin ccphoto credit

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Prayers for Students to Start the Year

School is coming soon. When it does, share some of these prayers with your students. Have them create other prayers to help them and their classmates through the school year. These prayers are all included in Day by Day: The Notre Dame Prayerbook for Students. Prayer Before Study Creator of all things, true source of light and wisdom, lofty origin of all being, graciously let a ray of your brilliance penetrate into the darkness of my understanding and take from me the double darkness in which I have been born, an obscurity of both sin and ignorance. Give me a sharp sense of understanding, a retentive memory, and the ability to grasp things correctly and fundamentally. Grant me the talent of being exact in my explanations, and the ability to express myself with thoroughness and charm. Point out the beginning, direct the progress, and help in the completion; through Christ our Lord. Amen. St. Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) Open My Mind Lord Jesus, you were once a student like me. You studied God’s law, the history of your people and a trade by which to earn a living. You lived in a human family, made steady progress in understanding and yearned to discover your vocation in life. Open my mind to the truth of things, make me humble before the awesome mysteries of the universe, make me proud to be a human being and a child of God and give me courage to live my life in the light of your gospel. Amen. The Balance Help me, God, to find a balance between study and leisure. When work must be done, let me realize that I am here to learn and cannot go to every party. Let me also see that life is more than books and being a person comes before grades. A snowball battle, a walk around a lake or a simple talk with a friend will do wonders when studies get me down. Guide me along this balanced line. Amen. Loretta Mirandola Anything Can Be Accomplished It’s never easy to be a student. Every day brings more assignments until it seems that the hard work will never end. I know I’d rather watch TV or listen to music many times when I sit down to study, but please, Lord, help me to realize that knowledge, like your love, can never be lost. Help me never to underestimate myself as a student because anything can be accomplished with your guidance and love. Let me be helpful and understanding toward my fellow students, and not judge them but radiate the same love you show us through your lasting mercy. Amen. Bill Starr Give Me Dear God, give me the strength to love others and to be loved. Guide me through each day with your helping hand. Give me the knowledge that you are already there, Especially when I need you the most. Give me the courage to live each moment as if the next will never come. Show me how to be strong when I am feeling weak. Give me the strength to live as you intended me to. Amen. Cassie Koberts Prayer Before Examinations Lord, it seems as though our lives are one test after another, weighing us in somebody’s balance. Save us from taking the coming tests too seriously or too lightly, but grant that we may reflect the best of the work we’ve done and the best of the teaching we’ve received; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. John W. Vannorsdall

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Prayer for Seniors in High School

Share the following prayer service from Marriage and Holy Orders: Your Call to Love and Serve with your students. It is especially appropriate for juniors preparing to be seniors and seniors at the time of graduation. The last semesters of high school are filled with planning for the next stage in life. Which college will you attend? Which career will you prepare for? What will it be like to leave family and friends at home? How will you grow in a personal and adult faith? These are only some of the questions to consider on a regular basis. Pray often for a smooth transition from high school. Keep Christ close to your heart as you make these important decisions. On several occasions, pray using the following format. Call to Prayer for Seniors in High School Pray the following words or choose some similar words of your own. Construct your prayer around some specific situations arising in your final months, weeks, and days as a senior in high school. Come, Holy Spirit. Be with me today in my studies. Improve my work habits. Help me to learn to relax when taking exams so that I am able to test to my potential. When I apply to colleges, allow me the chance to show the “real me” to those who make decisions. Come, Holy Spirit. Allow me to appreciate my friends. Give me a moment to see their goodness. Help me to be always faithful to these dear people I have grown up with since childhood. Always give me the opportunity to stay close to my friends, whether we are physically near or far apart. Come, Holy Spirit. Continue to inspire my teachers, counselors, and coaches who have inspired me. In these last days of high school, give me the courage to truly follow their lessons. Allow me the inspiration to thank them for their gifts with sincere appreciation. Come, Holy Spirit. Bless my parents and family. They are everything to me. They have modeled for me your life and love. Keep them healthy and happy for many more years. Come, Holy Spirit. Help me find my way to my loving Father through his Son. Share with me a sign of my calling. Give me good ears to listen to your voice. Give me the strength to follow your lead. Amen. Scripture Reading Slowly and prayerfully read the following Gospel passage from John 14:15-21. How is God with you now? How will you stay close to God after you graduate from high school? Listen carefully to Jesus’ words. A reading from the Gospel of John. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it. But you know it, because it remains with you, and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I live and you will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.” The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. Reflection Questions for High School Seniors Read through the entire list of questions. Then go back and choose one question to spend time with in greater detail. Listen to what God is saying to you. Take notes in a notebook or prayer journal. Choose another question on a different occasion. Form your own questions having to do with your transition from high school. As your answers change, write your new answers. What are my goals for my senior year in high school? How can I better express my true self to my family and friends? To whom do I need to say I am sorry? Where do I see myself in five years? What are my God-given talents? How might I use my talents in a career? How can I show my family I appreciate their love and care? What do I need to do to learn to be more independent? How can I improve my faith-life? What can I do to be more active in the Church? What kind of Catholic will I be when I get out of high school? Who do I want to become? Act of Hope Pray an Act of Hope for your future life in college using these traditional words. O God, I hope with complete trust that you will give me, through the merits of Jesus Christ, all necessary graces in this world and everlasting life in the world to come, for this is what you have promised and you always keep your promises. Amen.

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Jesus and Prayer

Review with the students several occasions when Jesus prayer. Choose six readers to read aloud the specific Gospel references listed below when as you briefly provide background on each occasion. When and How Jesus Prayed 1. Jesus prayed when preparing for something important. (Luke 6:12-13) 2. Jesus offered prayers of praise. (Luke 10:21) 3. Jesus prayed in thanksgiving. (John 11:41-43) 4. Jesus petitioned his Father for man things. (Luke 22:31-32) 5. Jesus prayed from Scripture. (Mark 15:34) 6. Jesus prayed at the time of his Death. (Luke 22:34; 41-42; 46) Jesus Teaches about Prayer Instruct the students to read each Gospel passage below and summarize Jesus' teaching on prayer in their own words. Also ask them to rate how difficult it is for them to follow this teaching using this scale: 1—very difficult; 2—difficult; 3—somewhat difficult; 4—no problem at all. 1. Read Matthew 6:6-8 Summarize: Rate: 1-2-3-4 2. Read Luke 11:9-13 Summarize: Rate: 1-2-3-4 3. Read Matthew 21:21-22 Summarize: Rate: 1-2-3-4 4. Read Luke 11:5-8 Summarize: Rate: 1-2-3-4 5. Read Mark 11:25 Summarize: Rate: 1-2-3-4 6. Read Matthew 11:18-20 Summarize: Rate: 1-2-3-4 Summary The teaching of Jesus presented in Number 1 is to keep your prayers short. Some people thinking by heaping on a lot of words, their prayers will be more effective. But Jesus says it is better to keep your prayers short and to the point. A second teaching is to pray with childlike simplicity. Jesus said to pray as if you were a child dependent on a parent for all your needs. He reminded us of the Father's great love which surpasses the love of any earthly parent. Third, Jesus teaches us to pray with faith. God always answers each petition, giving an answer that is ultimately good for us. Sometimes, as with a young child begging for an unneeded toy, the answer is "no." Fourth, be persistent with your prayer. We are to keep petitioning God for all our needs, as illustrated in the story of the person who visits a friend at an ungodly hour of the night. The message is simple. God cannot resist the petitions of a persistent pray-er. Besides private prayer, Jesus encourages us to pray with others, to the point that he promises to be present when "two or three are gathered in my name." He also instructs the entire of faith to come together and celebrate Eucharist. Finally, Jesus says to pray with a forgiving heart. He says that whatever we ask for in prayer will be given to us, provided that we forgive anyone with whom we have a grievance.

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Picture Meditation

To "meditate" means to "think deeply and continuously." A person can meditate about anything: how many points she'll score in the next game, who he will take to the prom, what kind of career he will have, or who she will marry. As a prayer form, meditation involves using your thoughts, imaginations, emotions, and desires to turn to God. One goal of meditation is to see how God is revealed in everyday life, from the biggest events and experiences right down to the smallest details. Such revelations lead you to discover that God is love. A second goal of meditation is to know God better so that God might be better loved and served. In a picture meditation, have you students select copy of a famous religious art, natural scene or photos of a place, person, or time in their lives of special importance and place it on their desk. Quiet the room and prepare for a brief guided meditation by taking them through the following steps. Guided Meditation Preliminaries Assume a comfortable position. Quiet yourself through slow breathing. Be aware of the sounds around you. Be aware of God's love for you and the fact that God created out of nothing what has been captured in your picture. Turn to your meditation. 1. Observation Spend the next three to five minutes concentrating on your picture. * What is in it? What is happening or has happened? What are the people doing? What season is it? Where is the action taking place? When? Who is in it? Why are certain actions taking place? What sounds do you hear? What odors do you smell? Write a few sentences describing what you observed. 2. Reflecting Spend three to five minutes discovering what the picture might be telling you about itself. Are there any symbols in it? What do they mean? What message(s) is (are) being communicated? If the picture could talk, what would it say? Write a few sentences describing what your imagination discovered about the meaning of this picture. 3. Listening Imagine that God has a message for you in this picture. Spend some time hearing what God has to say to you? Resolution Now that you have listened to God, write a short prayer to the Father with a resolution that will help you to grow.

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