Teaching Teens to Pray in the Digital World (DAEC 2012)

Teaching Teens to Pray in a Digital World

Jared DeesDigital Publishing

Specialist Ave Maria Press

CreatorThe Religion Teacher

DAEC | Diocese of Springfield| November 2012

1. Teens and Technology – Where are they today? 2. Why is prayer so hard? 3. The 3 Keys to a Successful Prayer Life 4. How to Get Digital Natives to Pray Better

Presentation Outline

Are you addicted to the Internet?

October 2012Source: http://www.fluency21.com//blogpost.cfm?blogID=3008

The Mobile Generation

87%

13%

Do you have a cell phone? (Teens 14-17)

YesNo

March 2012 (Data from 2011)Source:

http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2012/Teens-and-smartphones/Cell-phone-ownership/Overall-cell-ownership-steady-since-2009.aspx

Teens <3 iPhones

Spring 11 Fall 11 Spring 12 Fall 12

iPhoneTablet 40%

60%

Do you have an iPhone?

YesNo

October 2012Source: http://mobileorchard.com/report-states-that-40-of-u-s-teens-own-an-iphone/

What is the #1 way teens communicate today?

How Teens Communicate

March 2012 (Data from 2011)Source:

http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2012/Teens-and-smartphones/Cell-phone-ownership/Overall-cell-ownership-steady-since-2009.aspx

Daily: 63% text39% talk on the phone35% talk in person29% social networks 22% instant message 19% talk on landline phone6% exchange email

Texting

March 2012 (Data from 2011)Source:

http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2012/Teens-and-smartphones/Cell-phone-ownership/Overall-cell-ownership-steady-since-2009.aspx

No phone. Just prayer.

So why is prayer so hard?

What are your biggest challenges?

I don’t have time. (CCC, 2726)

I don’t get anything out of it. (CCC, 2727)

I don’t get results. (CCC, 2727)

I don’t get answers. (CCC, 2727, 2734-2737)

I don’t feel anything. (Spiritual Dryness)(CCC, 2731)

I have better things to do. (Lack of Faith)(CCC, 2731)

Distractions (CCC, 2729)

• Call • Text message • Calendar • Email • Camera • Alarm Clock• GPS• Map• Calculator• To do list • Weather forecast • Weather radar • Jot down notes • Record thoughts• Google • Check news headlines • Check scores • Share pictures • Edit pictures

• Read books • Read blogs • Read news • Read PDF• Facebook • Twitter • Google+• Pinterest • Quora • Count calories • Track Expenses• Track investments • Video chat (Skype) • Boarding pass • Check flight times• Watch ND football • Airport map • Track travel • Find restaurants

• TV Guide • Price Comparison • Coupons • Sell on eBay • Flashlight • Level • Watch movies (Netflix) • Watch Elmo • Look up actors • Look up songs • Listen to music • Listen to podcasts• Schedule Haircut • Order Pizza • Fantasy Football • Dinner Recipe • Whitenoise maker • Check domain names • Review restaurants

• Monitor Websites • Check bank accounts• Check real estate • View family tree • Buy Groupons • Play Games (x20) • Golf Distance Estimate • Pray Rosary • Pray liturgy of the hours • Pray the Divine Mercy

Chaplet • Lenten devotional • Stations of the cross • Examination of

Conscience • Mass times

Short Term Pleasure > Long Term Joy

3 Keys to a Successful Prayer Life

No phone. Just prayer.

Humble

“He who humbles himself will be exalted; humility is the foundation of prayer.”

(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2559)

Heart

“According to Scripture, it is the heart that prays. If our heart is far from God, the words of prayer are in vain.”

(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2562)

Habit

“The life of prayer is the habit of being in the presence of the thrice-holy God and in communion with him.”

(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2565)

Humble. Heart. Habit.

Obstacles to Humility

• I have better things to do. (Lack of Faith) • I don’t have time. • I don’t get anything out of it. • I don’t get results. • I don’t get answers. • Short-term Pleasure > Long-term Joy

Obstacles to the Heart

• I don’t feel anything. (Spiritual Dryness) • I don’t get anything out of it. • Distractions. • Short-term Pleasure > Long-term Joy

Obstacles to Prayer Habits

• I don’t have time. • I don’t get results. • I have better things to do. (Lack of Faith) • Distractions. • Short-term Pleasure > Long-term Joy

Teaching Teens to be Humble

More Praise. Less Petition.

Teaching Teens to Pray from the Heart

Helping Teens Make Prayer a Habit

Pray always. Sometimes use words. Prayers before. . .

Meals Bed

Class Games

A Journey

Prayer after. . . Waking Up

School Games

Image Credits• No phone. Just prayer.: http://catholicyouthministry.com/god-are-you-listening/ • I don’t have time: http://www.flickr.com/photos/naomi_pincher/2455741091/ • I don’t get answers: http://www.flickr.com/photos/crash-candy/2311427946/ • I don’t get anything out of it: http://www.flickr.com/photos/79996062@N08/7159780427/ • I don’t get results: http://photos.nd.edu/image/I0000rCop2tc9TuE • I have better things to do:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/smanography/2366162104/sizes/z/in/photostream/ • Spiritual Dryness: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aloony89/6816515568/ • Short Term Pleasure > Long Term Joy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gregorytran/5177292352/ • Teaching teens to be humble: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dtchristner/2836264730/• Teaching Teens to Pray from the Heart:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/charles_hudson/5940826868/

Thank you! Ave Maria Press

www.avemariapress.com

The Religion Teacher www.thereligionteacher.com

Prayer Habits prayerhabits.com

Email: jared@thereligionteacher.com Email: jdees@nd.edu Twitter: @jareddees