Theme No 4
Guides for prayer
1. Formation Prayer
(To be recited by all present).
In the name of the Father …
Heavenly Father, as we commence this session
of the Formation Programme, help us to believe you are near to us and that you care for
each one of us every day of our lives. Send the Holy Spirit to be our helper and our
guide, enlightening our minds, giving us the grace to serve you with generous hearts and
inspiring us to stand firm as Christians in your love. We ask this through Christ our
Lord. Amen.
2. Scripture Reading - Acts of the
Apostles 1:12–14
(Read by the discussion leader or the member nominated by him.)
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the
mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. When they
had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter and
John, and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of
Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these were constantly devoting
themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as
well as his brothers.
3. The Message
(Read by the discussion leader or the member nominated by him.)
The role of Mary, the mother of the Church,
in the development of our prayer life, is illustrated in her assistance to the first
disciples when they prepared for the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Mary herself is
the model pray-er, and we should welcome her into our prayer life. We can pray with her
and to her. The prayer of the Church is sustained by the prayer of Mary and united with it
in hope. The saints are all guides for us in the matter of prayer and, through their
writings, pass on this ancient tradition to us. The Christian family is the first place of
education in prayer. We remember from the Year of the Family, that the family is the
'domestic church', where the children learn to pray 'as the Church', and to persevere in
prayer. For young people in particular, daily family prayer is the first witness of the
Church’s living memory as described in the Acts of the Apostles. Priests and
Religious have a special duty to provide example, encouragement, and assistance with the
development of a strong prayer life. The phenomenon of the Prayer Groups has been a
driving force in the renewal of prayer in the life of our parishes and other communities.
However, it is important that these groups or schools of prayer be based on a strong and
proven tradition of Christian spirituality. The place for prayer can be of much
assistance, for example, before the Blessed Sacrament. It is suggested that a prayer
corner be set up in the home which can foster family prayer and personal prayer. Such
places could be furnished with the Scriptures, and an icon or picture and a candle.
4. The Exercise
(Five minutes of reflection by all members.)
What persons have been an influence on the
development of my prayer life?
What are some of my most memorable
experiences of prayer?
What can I do to foster prayer in my home?
5. The Sharing
(Members share aspects of their personal faith and its place in their lives that
have come to them through the Exercise.)
6. The Word
(The basis of meditation and reflection for the ensuing month given by the
discussion leader.)
'Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must
stay at your house today' (Luke 19:5).
7. Closing Prayer
(Recited by all members)
Take, Lord, all my liberty. Receive my
memory, my understanding and my whole will. Whatever I have and possess thou hast given to
me; to thee I restore it wholly, and to thy will I utterly surrender it for thy direction.
Give me the love of thee only, with thy grace, and I am rich enough; nor ask I anything
beside (Saint Ignatius Loyola).
