Classroom prayers for lent - Caritas prayers for Lent... · Spend time each day in prayer 1 ... Classroom prayers for Lent 2012 Introduction As people of God, we are called to share

Classroom prayers for lent

Called by faith to act with generous hearts

Kua karangahia e te whakapono

kia mahi i runga i te ngākau atawhai

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Contents

Introduction 1

Spendtimeeachdayinprayer 1

IdeastoenrichprayersinLent 3

PrayerforAshWednesday 6

Prayers for the six weeks of LentWeek1Gospelreadingandprayers 7

Week2Gospelreadingandprayers 9





Selected prayers Psalm34andideasforclassroomuse 21

Prayersforpeace 23

PrayersbyJoyCowley 28

PoemsbyEileenDuggan 32

Photoonthefrontcover:ChristianboylightsacandleatthetomboftheHolySepulchrechurch,Jerusalem(theplacewhereJesuswasburied).

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Called by faith to act with generous heartsKua karangahia e te whakapono kia mahi i runga i te ngākau atawhai

Classroom prayers for Lent 2012IntroductionAspeopleofGod,wearecalledtosharetheloveGodhasgivenuswithourneighboursandwiththewholeofourhumanfamily.TheLentengospelstakeustothecentralteachingsofJesus.WeareusingtheSundaygospelreadingsofLenttohelpusreflectonsomeofthestoriesoftheworkofCaritas.Theseinspiringexamplesdemonstratehowweareworkingforpeaceandjusticebothathomeandoverseasandininternationalaidanddevelopment.ThisworkissupportedthroughthegenerousheartsofNewZealanddonorsincludingmanyschoolsthroughoutthecountry.

TheseasonofLentprovidesuswithathreefoldfocusofprayer,fastingandalmsgiving.Thisbookletwillserveasanencouragementforthefirstofthese–prayer.Feelfreetoaddyourownstoriesandprayers.

Keepthisbooklethandyonyourtableorbyyoursacredspace,andtakefiveminutesatthebeginningofyourlessonstoprayforourneighboursacrosstheglobe.

Spend time each day in prayerBeginthedaybytalkingwithGod.IthelpsyoungpeopletofocusonGodasthesourceandcreatorofalllife.ItremindsthemofthelovingcompanionshipofGodwhoisalwaysthereforthem.Whileanyformofprayermaybeused,prayersofpraise,offeringandpetitionareparticularlyappropriate.

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Preparation• Arrangeasacredspaceinyourclassroomwithapurplecloth,openBible,

candle,andspaceforothersymbolsastheyemergeeachweekthroughoutLent.Thesecouldincludeatwigcross,Caritaskohabox,andimagesofpeoplelinkedtotheclassroomstudytopic.Onthefollowingpagesaresomesuggestedsymbols.LocatesuitablesongsforsingingeachweekthatlinkwithLententhemes.Therearearangeofpoemsandprayersinthesecondhalfofthisbooklet.Thesearemoresuitableforolderstudents.

• BeginwiththeSignoftheCross.Kiteingoa,oteMatua,oteTamaiti,oTeWairauTapu,Amene.

• Takeafewminutesformorningmeditation.Everyonesitsrelaxedinacirclewitheyesclosed.InvitethemtotakeaminutetothinkaboutthepeopleandthingsaroundthemthatmakethemrealiseGodisgood.AskthemtochooseoneofthesethingsandquietlythankGodforthis.

• Chooseashortpieceofscripture.UsetheonesthatlinktotheSundaygospelreadingsthroughoutLent.ThesecouldbeyourreadingsforeveryMonday.

• AlsoonaMondaymorningyoucouldcreateaprayercompanionlistforallthepeopletheclasswouldliketorememberinprayer.‘Thisweekwewillprayespeciallyfor…’Thisactionhelpstodevelopafaithcommunityandtotuneintotheemotionalneedsofthechildrenandstudents.

• Sayprayersofpraise,forgivenessandpetition.Thesearedesignedtobespokenbytwogroups(leaderandresponse,orleftsideandrightsidefacingthesacredspace).

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ScriptureThefollowingreadingsarefromThe Catholic Youth Bible(revised).Youmaychoosetolocatemoresimpleversionsofthesereadingsforyoungerchildren.

Ideas to enrich prayers in LentCross namesDoyouhaveacrossname?Doyouhavefirstandlastnamesthathavelettersincommon?Useyourmiddlenameifneeded.Printyournameintersectingonacommonlettertoformacross.Nowprintitwiththenamesgoingintheotherdirection.

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A two thousand year old olive tree in the Garden of Gethsemane

Sea of Galilee, Israel

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Twig crossesGathertwigs8to12cmlong.Formcrosseswithtwotwigseach.Windwoolaroundwherethetwigsintersectuntilthecrossisverystable.Blackorpurplewoolwouldbeveryappropriate.Youcouldweaveacrossusingflax–harakeke.

Symbol poster calendarDrawlinestodividealargeposterpageintounevensections.AddanewlargeLentensymboltoonesectioneachweekuntilallsixsectionsarefilled.PossibleLentensymbolsincludeapalmbranch;money;crownofthorns;rocks;breadandwine;candle;‘HOPE’.

ActivitiesadaptedfromHosanna! Calendars, crafts and creative projects for Lent and EasterbySharonLee.

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Interfaith peace prayer activityDivideclassintogroups.

Eachgroup• Chooseapeaceprayerfromeachofthethreefaithtraditionsthatexistin

theHolyLand.LocatetheseprayersintheSelected prayerssectionofthisbooklet.

• Readouttheprayerstogetherasagroup.• Highlighttwoorthreesentencesfromeachprayer.Choosesentenceswhich

youthinkareparticularlyspecialandrelevanttowhatyouarestudyingabouttheHolyLand.

• Presenttheseprayersinacreativewaywhichconveysthethemeofpeace,eg,adrama,asculpture,apieceofartwork.

Graffiti on a wall in the city of Old Jerusalem

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Prayer for Ash WednesdayMayLentbeforusAtimeoflearningtoseeWhereChristiscrucifiedtoday,AtimeoflearningTorecognizethecomplexrootsofinjustice,TorecognizetheGethsemanesInourglobalcommunity.MaywewitnessthesufferingOfGod’schildrenAsMarywitnessedHerbelovedson’ssuffering.

MayLentbeforusAtimeoflearningtobecomeAnEasterpeople,AtimeoflearningTorecognizethedeeprootsofcompassion,TorecognizewetooarecalledTowitnesstheemptytombandToannounceToaworldindespairtheHopeoftheResurrection.

By Jane Deren, Education for Justice, www.educationforjustice.org

Rock carving at Gethsemane, Jerusalem

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Prayers for the six weeks of Lent

Gospel for the First Sunday of LentAREADINGFROMTHEGOSPELOFMARK,CHAPTER1

AfterJesuswasbaptised,theSpiritdrovehimoutintothewilderness.Hewasinthewildernessfortydays,temptedbySatan;andhewaswiththewildbeasts;andtheangelswaitedonhim.

NowafterJohnwasarrested,JesuscametoGalilee,proclaimingthegoodnewsofGod,andsaying,‘Thetimeisfulfilled,andthekingdomofGodhascomenear;repent,andbelieveinthegoodnews’.

The desert wilderness of the Middle East

Liaison and Support Advisor Karen Payne facilitating the Stormbirds programme with children at Sacred Heart School in

Christchurch

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Week 1 He was in the wilderness forty daysSymbols:Rocks, bricks and concrete, emergency kit, red and black clothing such as socks or scarf or red flowers.

ThisweekweremembereveryonewhohasbeenaffectedbytheearthquakesinChristchurchandsurroundingareas.Manypeoplehavesufferedbecauseoflosingpeopletheylovedandforothersthelossofjobs,homes,andspecialplaceshasbeendifficult.Itislikeexistingina‘wilderness’.

Hopeforthefuturecanbefeltintheloveandcompassion,kindnessandgenerosityofgoodpeople.ThegoodnewsofGodcanbeseenthroughthecaringactionsofothers.

Weprayforeveryonewhoislivingwithdifficultcircumstanceseveryday.Give us comfort.

Blessthosewhoareangelstopeoplefeelingtroubled.Give us your kindness.

Helpustohelpthosewhoareunhappy.Give us the warmth of a smile.

Prayer of petitionLetuspray,CreatorGod,blessallthosewhoareworkingtohelpthoseinChristchurchandwhoarestilltryingtosortouttheirlivesbecauseoftheearthquakes.Giveeveryonerestfulsleepeachnightandpatiencetocopewithwhateachnewdaybrings.

Lordhearus. Response: Lord hear our prayer

Thisweekweremember(xxxxnamesfromclassprayercompanions).

Symbolic actionPlacechosensymbolontothesacredspace.Spendaminuteinsilentreflection.

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Closing prayerBewithuswhenwefeelweareinawilderness.Jesus is faithful.

Bewithuswhenweareafraid.Jesus is near us.

Openourmindstoseeyourgoodness.Jesus, you gave us the good news.

ClosewiththeSignoftheCross.

Gospel for the Second Sunday of LentAREADINGFROMTHEGOSPELOFMARK,CHAPTER9

JesustookwithhimPeterandJamesandJohnandledthemupahighmountainapart,bythemselves.Andhewastransfiguredbeforethem,andhisclothesbecamedazzlingwhite,suchasnooneonearthcouldbleachthem.AndthereappearedtothemElijahandMoses,whoweretalkingwithJesus.ThenPetersaidtoJesus:‘Rabbi,itisgoodforustobehere;letusmakethreetents,oneforyou,oneforMoses,andoneforElijah’.Peterdidnotknowwhattosay,fortheywereterrified.Thenacloudovershadowedthem,andfromthecloudtherecameavoice,‘ThisismySon,theBeloved;listentohim.’Suddenlywhentheylookedaround,theysawnoonewiththemanymorebutonlyJesus.

Astheywerecomingdownthemountain,Jesusorderedthemtotellnooneaboutwhattheyhadseen,untilaftertheSonofManhadrisenfromthedead.Sotheykeptthemattertothemselves,questioningwhatthisrisingfromthedeadcouldmean.

Sr. Mary Millicent, Project Co-ordinator, shares lunch

at Mayenya Model Primary School with students whose

families participate in the Chiga Livelihoods

Support Project.

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Week 2 He was transfigured before themSymbols: Photo of Chiga orphans. Young seedlings in a pot.

Thisweekwearethinkingaboutallthechildrenwhohavebeenlefttogrowupwithouttheirparents.Therearemillionsoforphansthroughouttheworld.CaritasisworkingwiththeChigaparishinKenyainAfrica.ThechildrenareorphansbecausetheirparentshavediedfromHIV/AIDS.

Sometimesthebestthingwecandowhenpeoplearesickorhurtingistobepresentwiththem.WhenJesuswastransformedinfrontofPeter,JamesandJohntheywereterrified.Theydidn’tknowwhattodo.ButallthatJesuswanted,wasforthemtobepresentwithhimatthatamazingmomentintime.

TodaypeopleintheChigaparishsupportthemanygrandparentswhocarefortheirorphanedgrandchildren.Weshouldtrytorememberallpeople–youngandoldwhostaywithandcareformembersoftheirfamilywhoneedspecialhelp.

Opening prayerOpenoureyestoseeJesusChristinourworldtoday.Lord hear us.

Helpustobepresenttoothersinneed.Lord hear us.

Maywerememberourstrongancestorsortipunawhoworkedforjustice.Lord hear our prayers.

Prayer of petitionLetuspray,Jesuswhohealedthesick,pleasehelpthepeopleinKenyatoshowkindnessandcompassiontoallthosewhoareleftasorphans.

Lordhearus. Response: Lord hear our prayer.



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Closing prayerHelpustocareforourfamily.Amen.

Openoureyestoseeotherswhoneedustobewiththem,andtocomfortthem.Amen.

Gospel for the Third Sunday of LentAREADINGFROMTHEGOSPELOFJOHN,CHAPTER2

ThePassoveroftheJewswasnear,andJesuswentuptoJerusalem.IntheTemplehefoundpeoplesellingcattle,sheepanddoves,andthemoneychangersseatedattheirtables.Makingawhipofcords,hedroveallofthemoutofthetemple,boththesheepandthecattle.Healsopouredoutthecoinsofthemoneychangersandoverturnedtheirtables.Hetoldthosewhoweresellingthedoves,‘Takethesethingsoutofhere!StopmakingmyFather’shouseamarketplace!’Hisdisciplesrememberedthatitwaswritten,‘Zealforyourhousewillconsumeme’.

Thepeoplethensaidtohim,‘Whatsigncanyoushowusfordoingthis?’Jesusansweredthem,‘Destroythistemple,andinthreedaysIwillraiseitup.’Theythensaid,‘Thistemplehasbeenunderconstructionforforty-sixyears,andwillyouraiseitupinthreedays?ButJesuswasspeakingofthetempleofhisbody.Afterhewasraisedfromthedead,hisdisciplesrememberedthathehadsaidthis,andtheybelievedthescriptureandthewordsthatJesushadspoken.

WhenhewasinJerusalemduringthePassoverfestival,manybelievedinhisnamebecausetheysawthesignsthathewasdoing.ButJesusonhispartwouldnotentrusthimselftothem,becauseheknewallpeopleandneedednoonetotestifyaboutanyone;forhehimselfknewwhatwasineveryone.

The organisation ECREA in Fiji is increasing women’s opportunities to earn income. Caritas provides ongoing support to help establish new means of income, including the sale of food and agricultural

products.

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Week 3 He poured out the coins of the money changersSymbols: Money trail in the shape of a country you are supporting, koha box, ‘Keep it simple’ calendar.

Thisweekwearethinkingabouthowmoneyshouldbeused.Jesuswasangryatthebehaviourofthemoneychangers.Theywerebeinggreedyandonlywantedthingsbetterforthemselves.Jesusteachesustoconsiderthepoorandtheneedy.ThatiswhyCaritasworksforaworldfreeofpoverty.InplaceslikeFiji,Caritasusesyourdonationstohelpmakethingsfairerforallthepeople.

Opening prayerWhenwefeelangryatunfairness.Lord help us to focus on what we can do.

Blesseveryonewhoworkstobringjusticetothepoor.Lord hear us.

HelpusseetheplacesandpeoplethatareprecioustoGod.Lord open our eyes.

Prayer of petitionLetuspray,GenerousGod,whosaid,‘Blessedarethosewhothirstforwhatisright’,pleasehelpthepeopleinFijitoconsiderworkinginfairandjustwayswitheachother.




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Closing prayerHelpCaritastobringjusticetothesufferinginFiji.E Te Ariki. Whakarongo mai ki a mātou.

Encourageustobegenerous. E Te Ariki. Whakarongo mai ki a mātou.

Bewithusasweworktomaketheworldweliveinfairerforeveryone.E Te Ariki.Whakarongo mai ki a mātou.

Gospel for the Fourth Sunday of LentAREADINGFROMTHEGOSPELOFJOHN,CHAPTER3

JesussaidtoNicodemus:‘JustasMoseslifteduptheserpentinthewilderness,somusttheSonofManbeliftedup,thatwhoeverwhobelievesinhimmayhaveeternallife.ForGodsolovedtheworldthathegavehisonlySon,sothateveryonewhobelievesinhimmaynotperishbutmayhaveeternallife.

‘Indeed,GoddidnotsendtheSonintotheworldtocondemntheworld,butinorderthattheworldmightbesavedthroughhim.Thosewhobelieveinhimarenotcondemned;butthosewhodonotbelievearecondemnedalready,becausetheyhavenotbelievedinthenameoftheonlySonofGod.

‘Andthisisthejudgment,thatthelighthascomeintotheworld,andpeopleloveddarknessratherthanlightbecausetheirdeedswereevil.Forallwhodoevilhatethelightanddonotcomeintothelight,sothattheirdeedsmaynotbeexposed.Butthosewhodowhatistruecometothelight,sothatitmaybeclearlyseenthattheirdeedshavebeendoneinGod.’

Community nurse Rasha Khalal is one of three nurses who make up to 80 home visits per month

to patients unable to come to the Aboud Medical Centre in the West

Bank, Palestine.

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Week 4 Light has come into the worldSymbols: Image from Jerusalem, three different candles to represent Jewish, Muslim and Christian religious groups, peace lamp.

CaritasJerusalemisworkingamongpeoplewholiveeverydayinstressfulanddangeroussituations.Formany,itislikelivingunderadarkcloud.Jesus’lifeandteachings,deathandresurrectionbroughtthelightofhopeforeveryone.Christiansarepeopleofhope.CaritasAotearoaNewZealandisgivingmoneytothepeaceeffortsintheHolyLand.Oursupportisbringinghopetomany.

Opening prayerHelpallpeoplewhohavelosttheirancestralhomes.Give us hope.

BringYourlightintoourdarkness.Give us light.

Helpustogrowincourageandcompassion.Give us strength.

Prayer of petitionJesuswhosaid,‘Blessedarethepeacemakers,’pleasehelpthepeopleintheHolyLandtomakepeacewitheachother.Lordhearus.

Response: Lord hear our prayer.


Symbolic actionPlacechosensymbolontothesacredspace.Spendaminuteinsilentreflection.OffereachotheraSignofPeace.

Closing prayer ‘Blessedarethepeacemakers,fortheyshallbecalledsonsofGod.’(Matthew5:9)Lord, help us to be peacemakers in the Holy Land.

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‘Iamthelightoftheworld.’(John8:12)Lord, help us to be lights to the Holy Land.

‘PeaceIleaveyouwithyou,MyPeaceIgivetoyou:…’(John14:27)Lord, we thank you for your peace and we accept it in the Holy Land.

Gospel for the Fifth Sunday of LentAREADINGFROMTHEGOSPELOFJOHN,CHAPTER12

AmongthosewhowentuptoworshipatthefestivalweresomeGreeks.TheycametoPhilip,whowasfromBethsaidainGalilee,andsaidtohim,‘Sir,wewishtoseeJesus’.PhilipwentandtoldAndrew;thenAndrewandPhilipwentandtoldJesus.

Jesusansweredthem,‘ThehourhascomefortheSonofMantobeglorified.Verytruly,Itellyou,unlessagrainofwheatfallsintotheearthanddies,itremainsjustasinglegrain;butifitdies,itbearsmuchfruit.Thosewholovetheirlifeloseit,andthosewhohatetheirlifeinthisworldwillkeepitforeternallife.Whoeverservesmemustfollowme,andwhereIam,therewillmyservantbealso.Whoeverservesme,theFatherwillhonour.

‘Nowmysoulistroubled.AndwhatshouldIsay–“Father,savemefromthishour?”No,itisforthisreasonthatIhavecometothishour.Fatherglorifyyourname!’

Thenavoicecamefromheaven,‘Ihaveglorifiedit,andIwillglorifyitagain’.

Thecrowdstandingtherehearditandsaiditwasthunder.Otherssaid,‘AnangelhasspokentoHim.’Jesusanswered,‘Thisvoicehascomeforyoursake,notformine.Nowisthejudgmentofthisworld;nowtherulerofthisworldwillbedrivenout.AndI,whenIamliftedupfromtheearth,willdrawallpeopletomyself’.JesussaidthistoindicatethekindofdeathHewastodie.

Year 13 students from St Peter’s College, Gore, share ways to

fundraise after learning about social justice on a Caritas Justice

Leadership Day.

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Week 5 Whoever serves me must follow meSymbol:Kete, Pasifika mats, other symbols of different cultures in your class. Young Vinnies badge, Caritas badge.

ManythousandsofchildrenandyoungpeoplesupporttheworkofCaritasandtheStVincentdePaul(Vinnies)bygenerouslygivingtheirtime,theirtalents,andmoneyforpeoplewhoneedhelp.Thespiritofservicecomesfromaheartfilledwithconcernandcompassionforothers.InservingotherswearefollowingJesus’example.Ourattitudetowardsservicecanbesummedupinfourwords–‘WeRatherThanMe’.

Opening prayerBlessallwhohearthecalltoserveyouandtoserveothers.E te Ariki.Whakarongo mai ki a mātou.

Maywegrowinourenergyofconcernforothers.E te Ariki. Whakarongo mai ki a mātou.

Teachustoknowhowtoserveyoubetter.E te Ariki. Whakarongo mai ki a mātou.

Prayer of petitionLovingGodpleasehelpallthosewhogivetheirtimeandtalentsandmoneytomakeourplacebetterforall.

Lordhearus.Response: Lord hear our prayer.



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Closing prayerHelpuschoosetobringgoodnesstoothers.Holy Spirit help us make good choices.

Inspireustoliveinunselfishways. Holy Spirit be with us.

Guideushowtogivewithoutcountingthecost.Holy Spirit create in us a generous heart.

Gospel for the Sixth Sunday of LentThe Passion of Christ according to Mark

The full account of the Passion of Christ, which is read on Palm Sunday, can be found in Chapters 14-15 of the gospel of Mark. You could invite different group members to read the following passage aloud from a Bible or to read this excerpt from this booklet.

THEPASSIONOFOURLORDJESUSCHRISTACCORDINGTOMARK,CHAPTER15,VERSES16-24

…ThesoldiersledJesusintothecourtyardofthepalace(thatisthegovernor’sheadquarters);andtheycalledtogetherthewholecohort.AndtheyclothedHiminapurplecloak,andaftertwistingsomethornsintoacrown,theyputitonHim.Andtheybegansalutinghim,‘Hail,KingoftheJews!’Theystruckhisheadwithareed,spatuponHimandkneltdowninhomagetoHim.AftermockingHim,theystrippedHimofthepurplecloakandputHisownclothesonhim.ThentheyledHimouttocrucifyHim.

Theycompelledapasser-by,whowascominginfromthecountry,tocarryHiscross.ItwasSimonofCyrene,thefatherofAlexanderandRufus.ThentheybroughtJesustotheplacecalledGolgotha(whichmeanstheplaceofaskull).Andtheyofferedhimwinemixedwithmyrrh,buthedidnottakeit.AndtheycrucifiedHim,anddividedHisclothesamongthem,castinglotstodecidewhateachshouldtake…

Pause for silent reflection. Share a word or phrase that struck you – without comment or explanation at this point.

Listen to the gospel passage, or part of it, again if you have time. Pause for reflection.

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Week 6The Passion of ChristSymbol: Twig crosses or other kinds of crosses the children have created.

RepresentativesfromCaritasagenciesbasedinover200countriesmetinRomein2011fortheCaritasInternationalisgeneralassembly.Inhisfinalblessingtothedelegates,PopeBenedictsaid:‘allCatholics,andindeedallmenandwomen,arecalledtoactwithgeneroushearts…’CaritasInternationalis,then,iscalledtogenerouslygiveoftheirbestintheserviceoftheirbrothersandsistersandparticularlytothoseingreatestneed.

Opening prayerWerememberallwhohavegonebeforeuswhohaveactedwithgeneroushearts.Jesus loves me.

GiveuscourageandfaithfulnesstofollowinthefootstepsofJesus.We will follow Jesus.

Helpusalwaystohearandrespondtoyourcall.Jesus calls us to love others too.

Prayer of petitionJesuswhosaidonthecross‘ForgivethemFatherfortheydon’tknowwhattheyaredoing’,giveusthegracetoalsoforgiveothers.




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Closing prayerLetussaytogetherthewordsfromtheprophetMicahtoconcludeoursixweeksofprayersinLent.

Three things the Lord asks of you:To act justlyTo love tenderlyAnd to walk humbly with your God. Michah 6:8

Ki te ingoa o te Matua, o te Tamaiti, o te Wairua Tapu, Amene.

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Selected prayers

Turn away from evil and do good;

Strive for peace with all your heart.

Psalm34:14

The coast of Sinai, Middle East

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Psalm 34 In Praise of God’s GoodnessIwillalwaysthanktheLORD;Iwillneverstoppraisinghim.Iwillpraisehimforwhathehasdone;mayallwhoareoppressedlistenandbeglad!ProclaimwithmetheLORD’sgreatness;letuspraisehisnametogether!

IprayedtotheLORD,andheansweredme;hefreedmefromallmyfears.Theoppressedlooktohimandareglad;theywillneverbedisappointed.Thehelplesscalltohimandheanswers;hesavesthemfromalltheirtroubles.HisangelguardsthosewhohonourtheLORDandrescuesthemfromdanger.

FindoutforyourselfhowgoodtheLORDis.Happyarethosewhofindsafetywithhim.HonourtheLORD,allthepeople;thosewhoobeyhimhavealltheyneed.Evenlionsgohungryforlackoffood,butthosewhoobeytheLORDlacknothinggood.

Come,myyoungfriends,andlistentome,andIwillteachyoutohonourtheLORD.Wouldyouliketoenjoylife?Doyouwantlonglifeandhappiness?Thenkeepfromspeakingevilandfromtellinglies.Turnawayfromevilanddogood;striveforpeacewithallyourheart.

TheLORDwatchesovertherighteousandlistenstotheircries;butheopposesthosewhodoevil,sothatwhentheydie,theyaresoonforgotten.

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TherighteouscalltotheLORD,andhelistens;herescuesthemfromalltheirtroubles.TheLORDisneartothosewhoarediscouraged;hesavesthosewhohavelostallhope.

Goodpeoplesuffermanytroubles,buttheLORDsavesthemfromthemall;theLORDpreservesthemcompletely;notoneoftheirbonesisbroken.Evilwillkillthewicked;thosewhohatetherighteouswillbepunished.TheLORDwillsavehispeople;thosewhogotohimforprotectionwillbespared.

FromBreakthrough! The Bible for Young Catholics

Ideas to use Psalm 34 in the classroomThisisapsalmofthanksgivingandwaswrittentoexpressthefaithofacommunity.ItremindsusoftheimportanceoffollowingGod’swayandseekingpeace.

AfterreadingthePsalmexplorethefollowing:

• ListsomeoftheblessingsGodhasgrantedyouinthelastweek.Share.• Inverses4-10whatisthePsalmistsayingabouttheimportanceoffaithin

Godinaperson’slife?• Howdoesthatfaithhelpyoucopewiththechallengesoflife?• Howcanone‘striveforpeacewithallyourheart’?• WhodoesGodhelp?• CanthispsalmspeaktothesituationintheHolyLand?Ifsoinwhatways?

Sculpture of an angel in Tel Aviv, Israel

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Prayers for peacePrayer of St Francis of Assisi (English version)

Lord,makemeaninstrumentofthypeace.Wherethereishatred,letmesowlove;wherethereisinjury,pardon;wherethereisdoubt,faith;wherethereisdespair,hope;wherethereisdarkness,light;andwherethereissadness,joy.

OLord,grantthatImaynotsomuchseektobeconsoledastoconsole;tobeunderstoodastounderstand;tobelovedastolove.Foritisingivingthatwereceive;itisinpardoningthatwearepardoned;anditisindyingthatweareborntoeternallife.

He Īnoi na Hato Werahiko (Māori version: first 7 lines)

EteAriki,meingaahouheikaihohouitōurongo;tukua,kiawhakatōkiaeahauirotoitengākauotehungamauāharahepurapuranōtearoha;irotoitehungaiwhara,hewhakaoranga;irotoitengākauāwangawanga,hewhakapono;irotoitengākautaimaha,hetūmanako;irotoitehunganohoitepōuri,hemāramatanga;irotoitehungatangi,hemārie,hehari.

Interior of Nativity Church, Bethlehem, Palestine

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A prayer for peace and peacemakersGodofJustice,GodofPeace,Maywebepeacemakersbytendingtothesick,plantinggoodwill,andsowingjustice,alwaysandeverywhere.Maywebejustice-makersbyplantingwiththehungry,tendingtogoodwill,andsowingpeace,alwaysandeverywhere.Mayyourwordsberichsoil,Mayweberichsoil,too,thatgivesnourishmenttotherootsofourfaithsowemayfeedyourpeoplewithourlabour.

Amen.

New growth

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Jewish prayer for peaceTwopeoples,onelandTwopeoples,oneland,Threefaiths,oneroot,Oneearth,onemother,Onesky,onebeginning,onefuture,onedestinyOnebrokenheart,OneGod.WepraytoYou:Grantusavisionofunity.Mayweseethemanyintheoneandtheoneinthemany.Mayyou,LifeofAlltheWorlds,sourceofAllAmazingdifferencesHelpustoseeclearly.Guideusgentlyandfirmlytowardoneanother,Towardpeace.Amen

RabbiSheilaWeinbergJewishCommunityofAmherst,Amherst,MA,USA

Muslim prayer for peaceInthenameoftheGodofAbraham,TheBeneficent,theMerciful.PraisebetotheLordoftheUniverseWhohascreatedusandMadeusintotribesandnationsThatwemayknoweachother,Notthatwemaydespiseeachother.

Dothouinclinetowardpeace,andtrustGod,fortheLordisonethathearsandknowsallthings.AndmaytheservantsofGod,thosewhowalkontheearthinhumility,Beaddressedwithpeace.Wesaypeacetoall.

Children, Jerusalem

A hanging lamp, in a mosque

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Sufi prayer for peace SendThypeace,OLord,whichisperfectandeverlasting,thatoursoulsmayradiatepeace.

SendThypeace,OLord,thatwemaythink,act,andspeakharmoniously.

SendThypeace,OLord,thatwemaybecontentedandthankfulforThybountifulgifts.

SendThypeace,OLord,thatamidstourworldlystrifewemayenjoythybliss.

SendThypeace,OLord,thatwemayendureall,tolerateallinthethoughtofthygraceandmercy.

SendThypeace,OLord,thatourlivesmaybecomeadivinevision,andinThylightalldarknessmayvanish.

SendThypeace,OLord,ourFatherandMother,thatweThychildrenonearthmayalluniteinonefamily.

Amen.

WrittenbyHazratInayetKhan(aSufipoet;SufismisthemysticalmeditativepartofIslam)

Al-Azhar Mosque, Cairo, Egypt

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A prayer for peace in the Holy Land

As you light this lamp, join together with people around the world in praying for peace in the Holy Land

Support Caritas through the Peace Lamps for the Holy Land project.

These beautiful peace lamps are made in the Holy Land through a Caritas Jerusalem employment programme. The peace lamps aim to unite people in prayer for peace for the Holy Land, as well as support the ongoing social, health, development and peace building programmes of Caritas Jerusalem.

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand has lamps available for borrowing, and is looking at providing more for sale. To find out more, visit www.caritas.org.nz and search for ‘Peace Lamps for the Holy Land’ [or email [email protected]]

Yourwordisalampuntomyfeet,andalighttomypath.(Psalm119:105)

Response: Lord, as we light this lamp, let your Spirit enter into the hearts of those in the Holy Land and be a lamp unto their feet and a light to their path.

Leader:NowtheLordofPeaceHimselfgivesyoupeacealwaysbyallmeans.(IIThessalonians3:16)

Response: Lord, give the Holy Land peace by Your means.

ForHeisourpeace,whohathmadebothone,andhathbrokendownthemiddlewallofpartitionbetweenus.(Ephesians2:14)

Response: Lord, be our peace and break down the walls of partition dividing the Holy Land.

Theywillhammertheirswordsintoploughsharesandthespearsintosickles.Nationwillnotliftswordagainstnation,nolongerwilltheylearnhowtomakewar.(Isaiah2:4)

Response: Lord, fulfill this promise now in the Holy Land.

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Love your EnemyIheardhimsay,Loveyourenemy.AndIthought,well,Idid.Sortof.Atadistance.AslongasIdidn’thavetotalktoherOrsharethesameroomforanytime.Itwasn’tthatIhatedher.Itwasjustamatterofprinciple.IhadtoletherknowthatIdidn’tapprove.

Buthekeptsaying,Loveyourenemy.Overandover.Loveyourenemy.AndIthought,well,maybeabitcloserwouldn’thurt.Atelephonecall.Goodmorning.Somequestionsofpoliteinterest.Noneedtocompromiseprinciples.IcouldletherknowThatIheldnogrudge.

Hestillkeptsayingit.Loveyourenemy.Loveyourenemy.Sointheend,Ihadtogothewholehog.Suddenly,therewewere,talkingaboutfeelings,Laughingandcryingandhuggingeachother.AndIwashealedofthewoundI’dgivenmyselfWithmyjudgmentalattitudes.

Sothenexttimehesaid,Loveyourenemy,Iknewclearlywhathemeant.MyrealenemyIsself.AndIneedalltheloveandforgivenessIcanget.

JoyCowley,Aotearoa psalms

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The DesertPrayerdoesn’talwaysflowlikeariver.Therearetimeswhenit’snotatrickle.Myheartbecomesasdryasadesertandwordsblowlikedustonthewind.Irememberpastfloodsofblessing,greengrowthandfruitonthevine,andIbecomerestlesswithgrief,asIsearchforawaybacktoEden.ButifIsitstillinthedesert,sitlongenoughtolisten,Ifindmessagesinthesanddunes.Ihearwordsonthedryhardwind.Themeaningofsandispatience,waitingwithapooremptyheart,fortherainwhichwillcomeintime.Thewind’svoicespeaksofdetachment,thedistancefromcomfortwhichshowsmiraclesatworkindryness.Slowly,soslowly,I’velearnedthevalueofprayerinadesert,andIhavecometotrustthegivingofallseasonsofGod.

JoyCowley,Psalms for the Road

Sinai Desert, Middle East

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The BridgeTherearetimesinlifewhenwearecalledtobebridges,notagreatmonumentspanningadistanceandcarryingloadsofheavytraffic,butasimplebridgetohelponepersonfromheretothereoversomedifficultysuchaspain,grief,fear,loneliness,abridgewhichopensthewayforongoingjourney.

WhenIbecomeabridgeforanother,Ibringmyselfablessing,forIescapefromthesmallprisonofselfandexistforawiderworld,breakingouttobealargerbeingwhocanenteranother’spainandrejoiceinanother’striumph.

Iknowofonlyonegreaterblessinginthislife,anditis,toallowsomeoneelsetobeabridgeforme.

JoyCowley,Aotearoa Psalms

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The Paschal WayYousaidthatifIwalkedyourpathwithyouIwouldexperiencetheblossomingofheaven.Ithoughtthatyoumeantflowers,bloomsofcelebrationstrewnalongtheHosannaroad,orarrangedbyflickeringcandlesinachurchfilledwithpeaceorclusteredfragrantinaheartmadeintopermanentsummerbyprayer,orhandedtomebyfriendswhovaluedflowersasmuchasIdid.

YousaidthatifIwalkedyourpathwithyouIwoulddiscoverthesweetnessofGodandIexpectedtobegivenflowers.ButactuallyyouweretalkingofthornsandacrossontheroadtodyingandhandsandfeetpiercedbyatruththatIdidnotwanttoownandafeelingofforsakennessandalettinggoandalovesoterribleitcamelikeaswordinmystrugglingheartandfinally,nothingbutyouandIinthesilenceofthetomb.

YouaskedmetowalkyourpathwithyouAndyes,youdidmeanflowersButnotthefragilethingsofaday.Somethingofpermanentfragranceandabeautythatcan’tbemeasuredbyapanaceaofsmallcomforts.Youweretalkingofthetombtransformed,imprisonmentintofreedom,

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crossesintowisdom,sufferingintocompassion,darknessintolight.Youweretalkingofyourpresence,InalifemadelargerbyyourEasterJourney.Youweretalkingofresurrectionswithoutend.

JoyCowley,Psalms Down-Under

It is past all PowerItispastallpowersavelovetodousethatconflagration,Thelovethatsufferscross-wisetomakeanenemyholy,Thehardestlessonlearnedthatno-oneisespecial

EileenDuggan,from‘Prophecy’.

Who Loves to Sit WholovestositanddreamGodinthesun,WhohearsHisvoiceatdawnamongthebirds,AndknowsHisjoyiswiththeyellowbeesAdrowsewithhoneyinlaburnumtrees.

EileenDuggan,And at the End(1stpub1930).

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Called by faith to act with generous heartsKua karangahia e te whakapono kia mahi i runga i te ngākau atawhai

Acknowledgements

CatherineGibbs EducationCoordinator

ElizabethSullivan EducationOfficer

EmilyBenefield Editor

LisaBeech IdeasfromCaritasLentenReflectionprogramme

PoemsincludedwithkindpermissionfromJoyCowley

NewZealandWritersandtheirwork–EileenDugganbyFMMcKay

TeReoMāoritranslationofLenttheme–TeRūnangaoTeHāhiKatorikaKiAotearoa

Educationforjusticewebsite

Photos

ElizabethSullivan CatherineGibbs

TaraD’Sousa LeoDuce

DalmasOdhengo/ChigaParishKenya SacredHeartSchool,Christchurch

Design

RoseMiller–Kraftwork,Wellington

www.caritas.org.nz

Documents

Classroom prayers for lent - Caritas prayers for Lent... · Spend time each day in prayer 1 ... Classroom prayers for Lent 2012 Introduction As people of God, we are called to share