helping people pray reflection journal

16
Reflection Journal A collection of articles written by Sister Marlene Halpin, O.P., and featured in Catechist magazine and Religion Teacher’s Journal

Upload: loyola-press

Post on 30-Jan-2016

218 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

DESCRIPTION

Reflection Journal: A collection of articles written by Sister Marlene Halpin, O.P., and featured in Catechist magazine and Religion Teacher’s Journal

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Helping People Pray Reflection Journal

Reflection JournalA collection of articles written by Sister Marlene Halpin, O.P., and

featured in Catechist magazine and Religion Teacher’s Journal

Page 2: Helping People Pray Reflection Journal

“�Every�moment�of�every�life�is�an�opportunity�to�grow�in�our�personal�relationship�with�God.”

“�A�thriving�parish�gathers�in�community�to�nurture�a�lived�faith�for�every�person.”

“����Rejoice�always.��Pray�without�ceasing.��In�all�circumstances�give�thanks,��for�this�is�the�will�of�God��for�you�in�Christ�Jesus.”1�Thessalonians�5:16–18

We�mentor�children�to�pray�without�ceasing�by��cherishing�prayer�as�a�deeply�important,�mutually�revealing�relationship�with�God.

Page 3: Helping People Pray Reflection Journal

Mentoring Children into a Life of Prayer

Adults support a child’s prayerful, personal response to God by sharing

their own very personal relationship with God and all of his creation. As

catechists and teachers, we lead children to a personal relationship with

God by helping them understand our Catholic faith and providing oppor-

tunities for them to talk about their faith with other children as well as

adults. We mentor children to pray without ceasing by praying with them

and by cherishing prayer as a deeply important, always present opportunity

to grow in relationship with God.

“The�desire�for�God�is�written�in�the�human�heart.”

—Catechism of the Catholic Church�(CCC�27)

Page 4: Helping People Pray Reflection Journal

2004 Loyola Press. All Rights Reserved.-4-

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT...Set aside a few minutes today to spend on prayer.As a start, jot down a few things you might tell or ask God.

Page 5: Helping People Pray Reflection Journal

2004 Loyola Press. All Rights Reserved.—5—

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT...Do you have expectations when you pray?What are they?What do you expect from God, our Father?

Page 6: Helping People Pray Reflection Journal

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT...What is your favorite way to pray?Where do you usually pray?Do you have a special time set aside for prayer?

2004 Loyola Press. All Rights Reserved.-6-

Page 7: Helping People Pray Reflection Journal

2004 Loyola Press. All Rights Reserved.—7—

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT...Praying is an act of friendship, of love. What do you talk about with your friends?Try talking about those same things with Jesus, your friend.

Page 8: Helping People Pray Reflection Journal

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT...What opportunities to respond to God's love have you seized today?What opportunities to respond to God's love have you missed to-day?

2004 Loyola Press. All Rights Reserved.-8-

Page 9: Helping People Pray Reflection Journal

2004 Loyola Press. All Rights Reserved.—9—

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT...At home, what is the place most inviting for prayer?When teaching children to pray or when praying with them, where do you gather?How can you make that environ-ment more conducive to spending time with God?

Page 10: Helping People Pray Reflection Journal

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT...Thank God for his gift of unconditional love.

2004 Loyola Press. All Rights Reserved.-10-

Page 11: Helping People Pray Reflection Journal

2004 Loyola Press. All Rights Reserved.—11—

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT...God never misunderstands or is shocked by what is said in prayer.Talk with God about something that is bothering you.

Page 12: Helping People Pray Reflection Journal

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT...Remind the children you teach to spend some time in silence listening to God.

2004 Loyola Press. All Rights Reserved.-12-

Page 13: Helping People Pray Reflection Journal

2004 Loyola Press. All Rights Reserved.—13—

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT...Real-life stories and storybooks are springboards to prayer.List some books you could use when praying with children.

Page 14: Helping People Pray Reflection Journal

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT...God wills happiness for us.When are you happiest?

2004 Loyola Press. All Rights Reserved.-14-

Page 15: Helping People Pray Reflection Journal

2004 Loyola Press. All Rights Reserved.—15—

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT..."God is full of surprises for you!"How has God surprised you lately?

Page 16: Helping People Pray Reflection Journal

7511

-7

www.loyolapress.com 800-621-1008

• Our Catholic Faith provides articles on a wide variety of Catholic topics, from the saints to the sacraments and beyond.

• Educational Programs gives teachers and catechetical leaders support for our curriculum products.

• Online Community links to blogs and forums to encourage dialogue about a range of topics on the Catholic faith.

• Our Store includes books and other resources that will help you grow in your faith and live a life of love toward God and neighbor.

Loyola Press provides a variety of practical and meaningful online ministry resources.

Nurturing your friendship with God at www.loyolapress.com

a J e s u i t M i n i s t r y

3441 N. Ashland Ave.Chicago, IL 60657

3-Minute Retreatwww.loyolapress.com/retreat

Sunday Connectionwww.loyolapress.com/sunday

Site features:

Online Resources for Your Ministry We invite you to take advantage of our specialized online resources, including prayer retreats, blogs, intergenerational activities, and more.