Christianity - Personal Devotion (Yr 11)

Question 1

How is personal devotion expressed?

Answer 1

• can be public or personal

- involves the communication or expression to God as a form of worship

Question 2

what does public prayer involve?

Answer 2

• congregations
• generally formal
• based around Christian festivals or religious occasions

Question 3

what are examples of personal prayers?

Answer 3

• they are formal prayers, such as the Our Father or the Rosary

Question 4

what is the effect of informal prayers?

Answer 4

they improve and foster a personal connection to god.

Question 5

what are personal prayers?

Answer 5

• they can be verbal or non-verbal.
• they refer to a religious practise that occurs privately, and is important for Christians who wish to acknowledge the relationship between God and humanity.

Question 6

why is prayer important?

Answer 6

Prayer is an important way in which Christians acknowledge the existence of a relationship between god and humanity.

Question 7

what are vocal prayers?

Answer 7

words are recited, spoken or sung. they may be structured traditional prayers eg. Lord’s prayer, Hail Mary, liturgical texts, or may be original and spontaneous based on personal experiences.

Question 8

what is a mental prayer?

Answer 8

it is the process of reflection that involves the mind, imagination and will.

Question 9

what is meditiation?

Answer 9

it is generally understood as the exercising of one’s spiritual memory based of repetition of words and phrases.
used to focus attention of the Divine and block out worldly distractions.

Question 10

what is contemplative prayer?

Answer 10

difficult to explain using words, it is often experiences as a simple prayer of quiet where the mind and imagination are free to wander. it is understood as the pure gift of God. it is focused on a perception of God’s living presence.

Question 11

what are the purposes of prayer?

Answer 11

• during suffering - personal or family/friends - it gives hope
• during times of decision making - asking for advice or guidance.
• when grateful - give thanks and appreciation
• when one has sinned - ask for forgiveness

Question 12

what is the effect of prayers?

Answer 12

• provides tangible ways in which adherents com into contact with the mysteries of the Christian faith.
• it produces direction, sense of community or a sense of joy.
• creates ability to act in a more Christ-like way and experiences life with the living God.
• It holds transformative power - alters their lives.

Question 13

what are examples of scheduled worship?

Answer 13

• morning and evening prayer
• grace at meals
• thanksgiving
• worship

Question 14

what are examples of personal prayers used for quiet times?

Answer 14

• reflection
• meditation
• relaxation
• self-evaluation

Question 15

What are prayers of intercession?

Answer 15

• they include a broad range to Gods and Saints.

- they ask for God’s intercession or support in life.

Question 16

How is personal prayer link to devotion in Christianity?

Answer 16

devotion of this kind is one which serves a diverse range of purposes and can be of a wide range of natures (mental, contemplative, meditation)