Leader Guide: Prayer Workshop Sample Bulletin Blurb: Is your prayer life in a slump? Do you pray the same way every day? Or do you find it difficult to pray at all? Would you like to learn some new prayer techniques from within our rich Catholic tradition? Join us for a Prayer Workshop! We will talk about what prayer is and explore some specific techniques for praying that you may have never tried. We will take time to pray and to discuss our experiences. Each participant will leave with a packet of prayer ideas and a new perspective on how to spend time in God’s presence! [Add info here regarding date, time, place, and meal/refreshments if applicable. Give contact and registration info.] Suggested Program: Sunday Afternoon Prayer Workshop and Light Supper Workshop: 3-5 p.m. Supper: 5-6 p.m. (Alternatively, the workshop could be done on a weeknight [6-8 p.m.] with light refreshments before or after.) 3:00

Welcome and Introductory Material Allow participants to introduce themselves if it is a small group. Explain how the workshop will work. Briefly present some introductory thoughts on prayer (your own or use Leader’s Guide).

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Centering Prayer Presentation = 5-10 min. Prayer = 10 min. Discussion = 5 min.

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Imaging Prayer Presentation = 10 min. Prayer = 15 min. Discussion = 5 min.

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Healing of Memories Presentation = 5-10 min. Prayer = 15 min. Discussion = 5 min.

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Introduce material in rest of packet

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Lectio Divina (as a group if possible or adapt as needed if your group is too large) 1

Recommended Resources (for leader and participants):    

We Pray: Living in God’s Presence, Oscar Lukefahr, Liguori The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything, James Martin, HarperCollins, Chapters 4-7 Contact with God: Retreat Conferences, Anthony de Mello (an early work) Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraphs 2558-2758

Supply List: 

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A classroom or meeting room for the presentations and discussions. Arrange however you feel will be most effective. A circle or horseshoe shape is best unless you have too many participants. (Alternatively, you could meet in the church or chapel, but that may make discussion time a bit challenging.) A quiet, uncluttered place for prayer – ideally a chapel, or a room carefully prepared for prayer. There should be a religious focal point such as a cross, and enough space that participants don’t feel crowded. Bibles, or copies of several Scripture stories for Imaging Prayer (see p. 6 of packet). A watch/clock/timer to keep track of time. A bell or chime to signal the end of prayer times. “Leader Guide” and sufficient copies of the “Participant’s Prayer Packet.” Optional: Nametags, pens, refreshments for before or after

Tips for Keeping on Schedule: 

Be familiar enough with the info in the packet that you can quickly but clearly summarize it if you are running behind.

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If you have a lot of participants, having only 5 min. of discussion time will be difficult to maintain but this is where it is most essential that you keep on track. Let people know that the time is very restricted and only a few people will be able to share their experiences after each type of prayer is tried. The discussion can continue at dinner (either guided by you as a large group discussion, or simply informally at the tables).

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You likely have more discussion questions than you will need or have time for. Use the ones you think work best or simply ask: “How did it go?”

Please note: Of course you should do what works best for your style, your participants, and your parish. My suggestions are simply a guide, and you should most certainly be creative and adapt the program to the needs of your participants and what you want them to get out of this prayer experience. If you need a pdf of the Prayer Workshop Participant Packet, please email me at [email protected]. I would be glad to provide it to you.

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Introduction to Prayer Workshop Here are some suggestions for things to talk about in your introductory remarks: 

Welcome the participants and introduce yourself.

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Have the participants introduce themselves if you have fewer than about 10-15 participants.

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You may wish to start with a simple opening prayer, such as the Our Father.

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Begin by asking, “What is prayer?” Allow participants to give their own answers. There are many ways to answer this question as prayer means something a little bit different for each one of us.

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Read the quotes about prayer on the cover of their packet (or have volunteers read) to consider some thoughts on prayer by a few folks who had a lot of experience and were really good at it!

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Types of Prayer – talk briefly about how there are many different kinds of prayer, especially in the Catholic tradition. There is rote prayer (such as the Our Father), liturgical prayer (such as the Mass), communal prayer, individual prayer, meditation, contemplation, adoration, thanksgiving, petition, etc.

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We should have a well-rounded prayer life in the sense that we should be familiar with a variety of types of prayer. We all have different “spiritual personalities” – some types of prayer will be more appealing and effective for us than others. For example, not everyone prays the Rosary well, while others can’t imagine their prayer lives without it.

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On the other hand, we should not easily dismiss types of prayer that don’t seem to “work” for us. Sometimes it takes practice, it takes getting used to – like riding a bike, or wearing a wedding band.

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For example, encourage them to try different postures in prayer and see how this changes their experience: stand, sit, kneel, walk, sit cross-legged with back straight, lay prostrate, hold a cross, hold prayer beads, hold the Scriptures, turn palms up to God, hold arms up in prayer, etc.

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This Prayer Workshop will hopefully introduce you to a few new types of prayer. They may not come naturally, but don’t give up based on your experience today. Take your packet home with you and keep it as a resource. Keep trying. The effort to pray is prayer! First give it a chance to become natural, then decide if it is right for you. 3

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Talk about silence and how it is a rare experience in our times. Prepare and reassure them with some comments to the effect of: “You may find the silence difficult and uncomfortable. A few minutes of silence can feel like an eternity if we are not used to it. Be patient with yourself and allow yourself to settle in and relax. It is okay if things don’t come naturally. If you do not pray a lot, you will need some time to ‘exercise your prayer muscles’ – in your heart, mind and body. Getting into shape spiritually can take months (just like physical conditioning), but you are off to a good start today!”

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Tell the participants that you will be guiding them through the different types of prayer, but assure them that you are not an “expert” in the sense that you don’t “have it all figured out.” We are all learning when it comes to prayer.

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Two final notes about prayer to keep in mind before we get started: 1. Revel in the fact that prayer is counter-cultural. You are not producing anything. You have nothing to “show” for it. You are utterly dependent on another. You are going nowhere, except within yourself. 2. Always remember that even though prayer is an inward experience between you and God, ultimately this encounter with God should bear fruit, leading to a life of charity. Your prayer life is not selfish time – rather, it is a gift to all who will encounter your peace and the fruits of the love of God through you.

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1. Centering Prayer Encourage participants to move beyond conversation with God into communion with God.

Discussion Questions: 1. How did it go? Did it seem like a very long time? Were there distractions? How did you deal with them? 2. How do you think the fruits Centering Prayer can be experienced in our daily lives?

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2. Imaging Prayer Meditative Prayer. Very different from Centering Prayer, in which we try to empty our minds of images and thoughts. Here, we use images in our prayer experience. Explain both options to your participants and ask them to choose one to try during their prayer time: 1. Imagine yourself speaking with Jesus. Read “A Chair for Jesus” by Fr. Oscar Lukefahr (p. 78-80 in We Pray: Living in God’s Presence), or tell the story in your own words, or tell of your own experiences conversing with Jesus. Then ask participants how they think this man’s prayer practice changed his relationship with Jesus (he became an intimate friend who was always present, etc.).

2. Imagine a Scripture scene. Give participants an example, such as the story of Jesus calming the storm at sea. Use your five senses to set the scene. How does the scene:     

Look (boat can look however you want – it doesn’t have to look “authentic” to the times!)? Smell (fish, sea smells, sweat)? Feel (hot, cold, breezy, wet, dirty)? Sound (wind, water lapping)? Taste (salt water)?

Build the scene and pay attention to your impressions and emotions – Have you ever imagined, really imagined, Jesus sleeping? How would you actually feel if you were in a storm at sea?!

Discussion Questions: 1. How was it? Did using your imagination come naturally? 2. If you prayed with Scripture, did you feel you got more out of the passage than if you had just read it? 3. Is this something you will do again? Why or why not?

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3. Healing of Memories The “Healing of Memories” is a type of Imaging Prayer. IMPORTANT NOTE: This type of prayer can be very meaningful but can also be emotionally difficult. You may wish to make a few suggestions to your participants: 1. For today, do not choose one of your most painful memories. You may wish to do that at a later time when you have done this before and when you have more privacy. 2. Be aware that anytime you reflect on painful memories, you may need someone else to help you process that experience. Today’s prayer experience is meant to bring you peace and healing, but you may wish to reach out to someone later (suggest yourself if you are comfortable with that) to talk about it if you need to. After you have finished presenting on this type of prayer, go with the participants to the space where they are praying. Sit in silence for several moments, then begin to guide them through this prayer SLOWLY….

Healing of Memories Spoken Guidance Let’s begin by closing our eyes and clearing our minds. Breathe deeply, and relax your body. Settle your mind. Right now you do not need to worry about anything or anyone else. You are with others who care about you and who are praying with you, and you are with your Lord. You are in a safe and peaceful place. Now do what is most comfortable for you – sit or kneel. Fold your hands in your lap or place your palms upward in prayer. Keep your eyes closed if that helps you to enter into your own mind and heart where you can use your imagination to be with Jesus. Remember, imagining him doesn’t mean that “he isn’t really there.” Imagining him is a way of being with him, of conversing with him, of praying. Now I want you to choose the memory that you feel the need to revisit today. Is there a time in your life, from your past, that still brings you pain? (Read list slowly.)     

The death or illness of a loved one? Your own struggle with illness or physical pain? Did someone hurt you – physically, verbally, spiritually? Did you hurt someone else and you regret it? Do you need to forgive someone? Or do you need to be forgiven? 7

*SILENCE* Our memories – good and bad – are part of us. Through them we experience the past, and they make us feel a wide range of emotions. We need to make peace with the moments of our lives that still cause us pain. The pain of the cross led to the joy of resurrection like winter leads to spring. Let’s join our pain with Jesus on the cross and ask the heavenly Father to heal us. Now use your imagination to return to the time and place of the memory you have chosen. Imagine the scene as it was. Look around the room or the place where you are. Notice some details about the place. In your imagination use your senses to be in the place.  What do you see?  What do you hear?  What can you touch?  Now pay attention to how you are feeling. *SILENCE* You have experienced this memory many times. Perhaps in some way, even subconsciously, in this memory you feel abandoned by God. But today he is there with you. He was always there. But this time you see him. Spend a few minutes reflecting on your reaction to seeing Jesus there with you. Be with Jesus in this memory. *SILENCE* Now turn to Jesus and, within your own mind and heart, talk to him about your pain. Perhaps you need to “vent” and ask him why he allowed this to happen. Perhaps you need to ask for forgiveness. Or perhaps you need to ask him to help you forgive someone else. Tell him you cannot do this alone. You may as well be honest with Jesus – he already knows your heart. *SILENCE* Jesus loves you. He remains with you. Ask him now for healing and peace. Ask that this memory may no longer be as painful, but that it may be healed by the power of his Spirit. *SILENCE*

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From now on, when you recall this memory, remember that Jesus is present there with his healing power. The pain was real but you were never alone. God does not live in time like we do. He lives in eternity. All moments are present to him. Your creator and redeemer lives in your past, your present and your future. Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, and today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Remain relaxed and focused on Jesus for a few more minutes while I read some Scripture passages – words of God’s love for you and assurances of his healing power: Scripture Passages about Healing (Read slowly and pause after each)

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds…. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power.” (Ps. 147:3) “I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds,” says the Lord. (Jer. 30:17) Jesus said: “I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.” (Jn. 10:9) “I came that [you] might have life, and have it abundantly.” (Jn. 10:10) Great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all. (Mt. 12:15) “O Lord my God, I cried out to You, and You have healed me.” (Ps. 30:2) Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." (Mt. 9:22) “[God] will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more…. And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’" (Rev. 21:45) Say a spontaneous prayer to end this prayer time (thank Jesus for being present and ask his healing on all participants). Amen. Discussion Questions: 1. Your memories are private, so I will only generally ask if you found this prayer beneficial. 2. Did using your imagination come naturally? Did going into your past help you gain a new perspective on your future and God’s presence there? 9

4. Lectio Divina Lectio Divina is an ancient practice of the Church that has enjoyed a resurgence post-Vatican II. It can be prayed alone or in a group. Praying with Scripture is important. In prayer, we don’t only talk to God, but we listen to him. He speaks to us in Scripture. In Lectio Divina, we listen with our hearts. We ponder the truths of Scripture and ask God to help us apply them to our lives. After introducing the ideas in the rest of the packet (see below), come back to Lectio Divina and try it as a group (use the sample reading on p. 9 and the directions on p. 10). If you are running short on time, you may need to do an abbreviated version.

Next Section Other Prayer Ideas, Scriptures to Say, Universal Prayer Be familiar with this information and these prayers so you can briefly review them or introduce them. These are designed to be resources they can use at home to continue trying new ways of praying.

Common Difficulties in Prayer If you have time (which would probably require adding 30 min. to the Prayer Workshop), these are very worthwhile to read together and discuss. If not, you may wish to choose one paragraph to read just to introduce them to the material, then encourage them to read these on their own later at home. There is likely “something for everyone” in this section as we all struggle with these aspects of prayer. If you have time or want to have guided discussion after the Workshop, some additional Discussion Questions follow.

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Additional Discussion Questions 1. What difficulties do you experience in prayer? How do you deal with them? 2. Do you find it difficult to pay attention at Mass? Do you have any tips to share? 3. Which of the prayer types you tried today might help you deal with some of your challenges in prayer? Why? 4. Which of the prayer types did you like most? Why? 5. Which of the prayer types did you like least? Why?

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