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Introduction to Prayer

Course Level: Intermediate

Course Summary

As in all relationships, communication is vital to its sustained growth. Prayer is the means by which God and we communicate. In prayer, God invites us to a deepening and continuing relationship. At the same time, we express our thoughts, desires and needs. Prayer guides us in our everyday lives and helps us to foster an abiding relationship with the One who loves us beyond all others. This course introduces the participants to the rich tradition and experience of prayer that will enable them to continually grow in the way in which God and we communicate.

Successful completion of this course earns 2.5 CEU's. Click here for more information about CEU's.

General Course Objectives

  • Define what prayer is
  • Understand the complementarity between individual and communal prayer
  • Develop their prayer life further by exploring the many ways by which we pray

Course Materials

  • Required Book: Dubay, Thomas S.M. Prayer Primer: Igniting A Fire Within $12.95 Ignatius Press, San Francisco: 2002. ISBN: 1-56955-339-4
  • Required Book: Kodell, Jerome Twelve Keys to Prayer $1.95 The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN: 1999. ISBN: 0-8146-2580-0
  • Course Materials available at the VLCFF Amazon Store.

Course Structure and Highlights

  • Week 1: Prayer: A Relationship with God
    • Explore the nature and meaning of prayer
    • How prayer nurtures our relationship with God
    • Explore the various forms of prayer
  • Week 2: Vocal Prayer: Speaking our Heart's Desires
    • Examine the most common form of prayer, vocal
    • Explore different devotional prayers
    • Understand the connection between the individual and communal prayer life
  • Week 3: Silence: Listening and Contemplating the Beauty of God
    • This session participants will: Discover the goal of one's prayer life is relationship with God
    • Engage in meditation and contemplative prayer
    • Reflect on the meaning of silence and listening in prayer
  • Week 4: Liturgy: The Work of the People
    • Study the liturgical form of prayer
    • Explore the relationship between liturgical and individual prayer
    • Understand the importance of people as models for praying
    • Engage in liturgical prayer
  • Week 5: Kairos: God's Time
    • Examine how to develop their personal prayer life further
    • Understand what the aim of prayer is in their lives
    • Seek to further their conversation with God