Unit 3: Prayers and Sacramental Life Flashcards
What is prayer? What are the types of Prayer?
An effort to recognize the presence of God in our lives. It builds our relationship with God as it involves a divine dimension and human actions. God’s presence acts as a guide for people, moving them to act out of love. The holy spirit moves our prayers to God, and then are acted out through human actions.
Adoration/Blessing: Worshiping the greatness of God
Petition: Asking for help guidance, wisdom, or courage
Intercession: Asking God for things on behalf of others
Thanksgiving: Offering gratitude to God for all that is good
Praise: recognizes God for all his glory, and for who he is
Requirements for Prayer
1) Needs “inner space” - a clear mind and silence
2) Don’t use meaningless words
3) Don’t pray for show
4) Doesn’t have to be long
3 Paths to intimacy with God
1) Vocal Prayer: talking to God
2) Meditation: Focusing the mind to be better attuned with God
3) Contemplation: Being with or present to God
3 Categories of Prayer
1) Personal: Any prayer said by any person
2) Liturgical: Official prayers of the church
3) Community: Praying together in a group
Benefits of Prayer
- Leads us closer to God
- Allows us to talk openly with God
- Allows us to trust God with our hopes, dreams, and desires
The Our Father (Significance, Importance)
Meaning: The prayer of all prayers (a universal prayer that can be used for any situation)
Significance: Jesus gave us the Our Father
Importance: It teaches us how to ask for things, and in what order to ask them
The Hail Mary (Significance, Importance)
Meaning: A prayer of praise and petition to Mary (Mother of God)
Significance: Jesus was conceived inside the Virgin Mary through the Holy Spirit
Importance: We recognize the holiness of Mary
The Glory Be (Significance, Importance)
Meaning: Encapsulates the essence of the Christian faith, Holy Trinity (a doxology - short confession to God)
Significance: Reveals that God is eternal (Before all things, present in the here and now, and will always be)
Importance: Consistent with writings in the Old and New Testament
3 Truths about being Human
1) Humans are a creation of God
2) Humans are a mixture of earth and divine breath
3) Humans are intrisically good
What are the Sacraments? List them and the types
The sacraments are holy, visible signs instituted by Christ of an invisible reality. They are possible because of God’s grace.
Baptism: Fallen children of God become cherished children of God
Confirmation: The weak become strong, committed Christians
Reconciliation: The guilty are reconciled (healed/forgiven)
Eucharist: The hungry become bread for others
Matrimony: Individuals become servants of love
Holy Orders: Individuals become servants of love
Anointing of the Sick: The despairing become people of confidence
Initiation Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist
Healing: Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick
Service to the Community: Matrimony, Holy Orders
How are the sacraments rooted in Jesus?
Jesus led his disciples to be his witnesses. He did not leave them without clues to carry out the task of spreading the word. Jesus gave them an example of how to preach and act as he did so that his purpose will carry on even when he leaves.
What does it mean to be human and experience something sacramental?
Being human means to have the ability to think, feel, and experience the world around us. Experiencing something sacramental refers to a sacred experience that connects us to the divine or spiritual realm. It is a moment of deep meaning an significance that touches our souls and reminds us of the sacredness of life.
What is sacramental awareness? How can you be sacramentally aware?
Being aware that God is everywhere and everything is sacred
- Understand that God created everything out of love and so everything is sacred
- Understand that God is everywhere and he communicated though people, places, actions, events, and experiences that shape people’s lives
4 Traits of a Ritual
1) Needs our Bodies: Memories carried in rituals are rooted in the body (washed, touched, anointed)
2) Forms a community: Rituals of life are not intended for individuals, but to build a community
3) Accompanied by Words: Expresses and makes real what the ritual intended (gives meaning)
4) Tradition: Passes on history and the rites carry a memory of their history
8 Characteristics of a Ritual
1) Involves Movement
2) Repeated
3) Become symbolic traditions
4) Connected to important events
5) Includes significant words
6) Links people with their past
7) Involves a community
8) Wholehearted participation
