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Fostering Faith Curriculum Guide
for Catechist Certification: Prayer
I:
Foundations for Prayer
Session Description
This session introduces the catechist to the foundations of
Christian prayer and the relationship of spirituality to catechetical ministry.
Themes
 | Roots of prayer in Scripture |
| Traditions of prayer in Christian history |
| Spiritual attitude necessary for prayer |
Focusing the Session
Prayer grows out of a personal, covenant relationship between God
and humankind. The history of the Church's spirituality provides a treasury of forms of
prayer that help Christians to discern the possibilities of communing with God in prayer.
Catechesis for prayer calls catechists to create personal space within themselves for
communion with God.
Instructional Objectives
In conducting this session the facilitator will:
| Introduce prayer as the expression of covenantal love
between God and the human heart. |
| Trace the roots of prayer in the Scriptures. |
| Outline the development of prayer traditions in Christian
history. |
| Provide examples that illustrate the relationship of
Christian prayer to catechesis. |
| Use various teaching methods which catechists in turn can
use with their students. |
Catechist Competencies
As a result of this session, catechists will be able to:
| Explore the roots of Christian prayer in Scripture. |
| Provide examples of some of the various traditions of
Christian prayer in the history of the Church. |
Special Points from the Documents
| Prayer is part of our covenant relationship with God (CCC
#2562–2564) |
| God calls everyone into a relationship of prayer (CCC
#2566–2567) |
| The Old Testament teaches the presence of God in prayer (CCC
#2568–2597) |
| Jesus learned to pray in his human heart (CCC
#2599) |
| Jesus prayed in all his decisions and teaches us how to
pray (CCC #2600–2616) |
Documentary References
See Bibliography for secondary sources.
Catechism of the Catholic Church #2562–2616
Scriptural Context
| Genesis 18:16-33 Exodus 17:8-13
Exodus 32:1-14
1 Samuel 1:9-19
1 Kings 3:3-15
Luke 6:12-16
Luke 22:31-32
Luke 22:39-46
John 14:12-14; 15:7
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Hebrews 5:7-10
James 5:16-18 |
Abraham boldly intercedes with God Israel prevails as long as Moses’ arms are raised to God
Moses questions God over the fate of his erring people
Hannah’s longing issues in a powerful prayer
Solomon pleases God by asking for a heart of wisdom
Jesus spends the night in prayer before choosing the Twelve
Jesus prays for Peter at his hour of testing
Jesus agonizes in the Garden in fervent prayer
The Son of God’s promise for those who pray
Prayer as a constant way of life
Jesus too learned how to pray
Elijah’s story shows the power of prayer |
II: Ways of Prayer
Session Description
This session introduces the catechist to various forms of prayer
and explains their relationship to other beliefs and expressions of the Christian life.
Themes
| Spontaneous, personal, communal, intercessory and other
forms of prayer and devotions |
| Relationships of personal prayer to public prayer in the
liturgy and sacraments |
| Connection of prayer to Christian moral living |
| Popular cultural forms of religious devotion |
Focusing the Session
All prayer is a response to the activity of the Spirit within us,
who helps us to pray. The Liturgy of the Hours, paraliturgies or scriptural celebrations,
personal devotions such as the rosary, and other forms of prayer, help people to pray
individually, as a family, and as a community. Catechesis for prayer calls people to a
strengthening of the covenant relationship with God in liturgy, sacramental celebrations
and service to one another.
Instructional Objectives
In conducting this session the facilitator will:
| Introduce various forms of prayer. |
| Trace the relationship between prayer, sacramental
celebrations and service to others. |
| Introduce various popular religious practices of people
from other cultures, showing their relationship to the liturgical life of the Church. |
| Emphasize the importance of promoting and helping to
facilitate family prayer. |
| Examine difficulties that arise in prayer and techniques
for overcoming them. |
Catechist Competencies
As a result of this session, catechists will be able to:
| Express the interrelation between personal and communal
forms of prayer. |
| Describe some of the various forms of prayer in the
Christian life. |
| Provide examples that demonstrate the relationship between
one's prayer life and Christian responsibilities. |
| Describe some popular religious practices associated
within the diversity of cultures. |
| Express the meaning of prayer in their personal
relationship with God. |
| Articulate ways to overcome difficulties in prayer. |
Special Points from the Documents
| Four general purposes of prayer: adoration, thanksgiving,
petition, contrition (Sharing #140) |
| Christian tradition has three major modes of prayer:
vocal, meditative, and contemplative (CCC #2699) |
Documentary References
See Bibliography for secondary sources.
| Vatican II, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy
#83–101 |
| Catechism of the Catholic Church #1174–1178,
2653–2724 |
| Sharing the Light of Faith #140–143 |
Scripture Contexts
Selections of typical forms of prayer in the Psalms:
| Trust |
23 27 |
| Thanksgiving |
30 116 |
| Lament/ petition |
42-43 69 |
| Praise |
33 46 |
| Church’s traditional seven
"penitential" psalms |
6 32
38
51
102
130
143 |
Session Description
This session introduces the role of the catechist as a teacher and
leader of prayer.
Themes
| Role of prayer in catechesis |
| Basic skills for planning and leading prayer in groups |
Focusing the Session
Building on a sense of wonder, catechists are called to lead their
learning communities in prayer, to help them to meditate on God's word, and to provide
opportunities for prayer. Catechesis for prayer calls the catechist to create environments
in which learners may discover the inner place where God speaks intimately with them.
Instructional Objectives
In conducting this session the facilitator will:
| Express a basic understanding of the role of the catechist
as a leader of prayer. |
| Introduce at least two age-appropriate skills that
catechists may use as leaders and planners of prayer. |
| Provide examples of how catechists' personal commitment in
prayer is the foundation of their role to lead others in prayer. |
| Lead catechists in an exercise of constructing a prayer
for a special feast of the Church. |
| Demonstrate a variety of methods for teaching prayer and
praying. |
Catechist Competencies
As a result of this session, catechists will be able to:
| Articulate the relationship between personal prayer and
catechetical ministry. |
| Evidence an ability to fulfill the role of catechist as a
leader of prayer. |
| Demonstrate an ability to teach at least two
age-appropriate skills for prayer. |
| Model to others the importance and the benefits of being a
prayerful person. |
| Demonstrate an age-appropriate prayer for a seasonal
feast. |
Special Point from the Documents
| All catechesis is oriented to prayer and worship (Sharing
#145) |
| Basic prayers such as the Sign of the Cross, the Lords'
Prayer, Hail Mary, Apostle's Creed, Acts of Faith, Hope and Charity, and Act of Contrition
are learned for a lifetime and can contribute to the individual's continued growth in
understanding and living the faith (Sharing #176e) |
Documentary References
See Bibliography for secondary sources.
| Sharing the Light of Faith #145, 176e |
Scripture Contexts
| Matthew 6:5-13 Luke 11:1-13 Luke 18:1-14
Acts 12:1-17
Romans 8:25-26 |
Jesus teaches his prayer; the
traditional form Luke’s version of the Lord’s
Prayer, with teaching on prayer
Parables on persistence and humility in prayer
To its shock, the early Church learns the power of its prayer
The Spirit helps us in our inability to pray |
The following prayers from the letters of St. Paul are excellent
models for specific use by catechists as they pray for their learners:
Romans 15:13
Ephesians 1:15-23
Ephesians 3:14-21
Philippians 1:3-11
Colossians 1:9-12
1 Thessalonians 3:11-13
1 Thessalonians 5:23-25
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
2 Thessalonians 3:5
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