A Catechesis of Prayer for the Annunciation

A Catechesis of Prayer

In Honor of the Annunciation of Gabriel

To the Blessed Mother

25 March 2012

In response to several requests, I have prepared this set of Prayers to illustrate the seven Principal kinds of Prayer as presented by the Catechism in The Book of Common Prayer(1979), page 855,6

Adoration

Give us Grace to lift ourselves to your Presence, where in the sweetness of silence we may ask no more than to enjoy being with You. Amen

Praise

In our Praises of You so heighten our devotion that we may discover we become more devoted to one another, since it is in the Love of God that we learn to Love One Another more. Amen

Thanksgiving

Give us hearts to be so alive to all that you give us that we may be filled with gratitude for everything that brings us closer to You, both blessings and challenges. Amen

Penitence

Give us courage to be honest about who we are. We can make amends to those we harm, and we can amend our lives too, because this we know: You have already forgiven us. Amen

Oblation

So draw our hearts, minds, imaginations and wills toward the heart of Jesus that we may courageously contend against evil in all of its forms; whether it is war, poverty, hatred or oppression; may we become agents for peace, justice, love and freedom, and as small or as few as we may be; let us not flinch from being and becoming “A House of Prayer for ALL People” in obedience to your Son Jesus. Amen.

Intercession and Petition

And finally we remember before you our needs and the needs of others. In the silence we take as much time as is necessary, knowing that there is a Balm in Gilead, and as we receive you more and more into our lives, we and those we love are enfolded in your healing power, both in this life and in the life to come. Amen

Silence. A time to remember.

All this we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

A blessing to you on this holy night,

Fr. Paul