Reflect Prayer
Prayer
Choose an approach and pray with the children.
Making Good Choices It is not always easy to do the right thing. You try to do good, but you sometimes fail. You see much good in
Approach 1
people, but you also see them act badly,
Recorded Guided Reflection
doing such things as fighting or lying. You might even wonder how you can be a better person and still have friends.
Prepare Listen in advance to the recorded guided reflection “Making Good Choices” [CD 1, Track 6]. Decide if you will use the recording or lead the reflection yourself. If you choose to lead, listen to the recording a second time, following the script [pages T-290–T-291] and noting pauses and tone. You can then use the script or adapt it as you wish.
Imagine that you are with Jesus when he is speaking to a crowd. You notice his patience and kindness with all the people. You imagine yourself dealing with such a noisy, demanding crowd. Would you be as patient and as kind? After the crowd leaves, Jesus comes over and sits with you. You tell him that you want to be like him, but sometimes you forget. Ask him to show you how to act when it is confusing or difficult. Jesus puts his arm around you and
Pray During the session, play the recording or lead using the script, and join the children in reflective prayer. If you use the script, play reflective music softly in the background.
invites you to talk to the Father about what’s in your heart. You do that quietly. Thank Jesus for showing you how to follow him.
Approach 2
Children’s Page Prepare Pray the prayer on page 12 in advance to become familiar with it. Pray Give children a few moments to study the picture. Say: Living like Jesus is not easy. Let us remember that we can turn to him for help. Then invite children to find a comfortable, quiet position for reflective prayer. Slowly read the page to the group. Pause for 10 seconds at the end of each paragraph to allow time for personal reflection. Close by inviting children to speak to Jesus about whatever else is in their hearts. Conclude the prayer by praying Amen. Then say: With the same spirit of prayerfulness, let’s review what we have learned and see how we can make it part of our everyday lives.
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UNIT 1 • God, Our Creator and Father
If Time Allows
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FYI
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Pray Again If you used the recorded PDF Signoff: Production _______ guided reflection, you might use this prayer page during another session.
LoyolaPress.
7/21/11 12:22 PM
Coaching Children to Pray Editorial _______
Design _______
Help children find ways to get comfortable and to focus their attention inward during meditation. Suggest that when breathing in, they inhale God’s love, and when breathing out, they exhale any worries or hurt feelings. Guide children through this exercise two or three times as appropriate for the group.
www.findinggod.com
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PDF Signoff: Production _______
LoyolaPress.
Design _______
Editorial _______
8/25/11 11:23 AM