Leading Spontaneous Prayer, Part 3: You, Who, DO, Through

Joe Paprocki Prayer/Guided Reflections

During our recent Webinar – Leading Prayer as a Catechist – we explored a formula to help us lead spontaneous prayer: remembering the words YOU, WHO, DO, THROUGH. Liturgical/Eucharistic prayer includes these 4 elements: YOU (we address God and praise him using divine titles), WHO (we describe the great things that God has done), DO (we pray for God to do something for us now), THROUGH (we pray to the Father, through his Son, Jesus, with the Holy Spirit).

I then invited participants to get some practice. First, I invited them to type in suggestions of how God can be addressed using various divine titles, some of which I shared here a few days ago. Then, I invited them to type in a sentence that acknowledges WHO God is by stating something He has done for us – one of His marvelous deeds. I shared some of those  as well. Finally, I invited people to type in a sentence that asks God to DO something for those on whose behalf they are praying.  Here’s a sampling.

  • ­bring us together to learn of your love for us­
  • ­May your favor rest upon us and all that is close to our hearts. ­
  • bring us together so that we can learn about your love for us­
  • continue to send your love on these Catechist as they love on our children­
  • ­bless us with the gift of your forgiveness and healing­
  • ­Please continue with your guidenence so we can do your will in all things.­
  • ­bless all of us gathered together this evening as we learn to bring others closer to You­
  • ­Open our minds to the wisdom and knowledge you wish us to learn.  Protect the users of this technology from abusing its riches and potential.­
  • ­Let your glorious light shine through us to lead your children to you and enable them to show your love to others­
  • ­be with us and open our hearts to allow your teachings to fill us.­
  • ­Open our minds and hearts to the promptings of Your Spirit­
  • ­We ask that you calm our anxieties and show us the way so we can live our lives according to your plan.­
  • ­give us the strength to inspire our students­
  • ­Please be in our hearts and minds and guide us to do your will­
  • ­Help us share your love with the children in our classes around the country. ­
  • ­inspire us to share our gifts with our students so they may know and love and serve you­
  • ­Fill our hearts with Your love and our souls with the Holy Spirit.­
  • ­Stir the fire of faith in our hearts as we teach your children to pray.­
  • send us your Holy Spirit as we learn how to pray with our hearts, our minds and our souls.­
  • ­Guide us along your Heavenly way.­
  • ­Continue to fill us with your spirit, to be a witness to your everlasting love for others and be instruments of your work.­
  • please open the hearts of all to your spirit and our minds to your understanding­
  • ­open our hearts and minds to know the saving power of your word ­
  • ­Fill us with your spirit so that we may be creative in developing our ability to lead prayer­
  • ­Gives us the grace to pray the prayers of our students­
  • ­help us to be better catechists and leaders of prayer­
  • ­open our hearts and minds to receive your message­
  • open our hearts and minds to this new information to make us better cathechists­
  • ­enable us to trust in your gifts and to use them for yur glory­
  • ­bless us with your wisdom, patience, and compassion in leading our children ever closer to you­
  • ­Please touch the hearts of all those gathered here, that we may grow ever closer to you and your Word and to eternal salvation with You.­
  • ­we ask you to be with us and share our knowledge with those who were unable to participate­
  • ­Please continue to help us grow in your love and learn more ways in which we can share  ­
  • ­Lord fill out hearts with your love and help us bring your love to those in need in our coumminties­
  • ­May the Holy Spirit fill us tonight and open our minds to learn to lead spontaneous prayers­
  • ­Fill us with your gift of Wisdom that we might lead others to know you more and more­
  • ­help us to take his presence forward and share it with those we come in contact with today.­
  • ­Open our hearts to hear your voice as we pass on the faith to those under our care.­
  • ­be with us and help us to touch the hearts and minds of your children, who yearn to know you better everyday.­
  • ­Give us words of love, encouragement, patience, and gentleness as we spread Your Word…­
  • ­open the hearts of those who seek you in prayer and fill them with your Word of Life­
  • ­send your Holy Spirit upon us so that we may grow closer to you and bring others to you.­
  • ­create in us a hunger for your presence among us­
  • ­bless us with the gift of right words as we teach teh children you have entrusted to us­
  • ­May you enlighten our minds to know your truths and to love you with all of our strength­
  • ­Please bless us with wisdom and patience to teach your truths.­
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About Joe Paprocki 2742 Articles
Joe Paprocki, DMin, is National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press, where, in addition to his traveling/speaking responsibilities, he works on the development team for faith formation curriculum resources including Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts and God’s Gift: Reconciliation and Eucharist. Joe has more than 35 years of experience in ministry and has presented keynotes, presentations, and workshops in more than 100 dioceses in North America. Joe is a frequent presenter at national conferences including the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, the Mid-Atlantic Congress, and the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership. He is the author of numerous books, including the best seller The Catechist’s Toolbox, A Church on the Move, Under the Influence of Jesus, and Called to Be Catholic—a bilingual, foundational supplemental program that helps young people know their faith and grow in their relationship with God. Joe is also the series editor for the Effective Catechetical Leader and blogs about his experiences in faith formation at www.catechistsjourney.com.

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