The goal of the series is to assist with your prayer life. Matthew Kelly speaks of our need to develop a daily habit of prayer, and that is how this series is designed – to set time aside each day for the ritual of personal prayer. If you already have a prayer life that fuels your day and your spirit, then please add an extra prayer for participants who are looking to begin, or move to another level of, prayer. While there is no “one way” to pray, and no “best” method to pray, there is great wisdom in Matthew Kelly’s approach. Our Lenten Series “presenter” will actually be the Holy Spirit working within you as we set aside time and give some basic direction during the 10-minute nightly prayer offerings that will begin March 1.
For those who will not be able to be part of the series, here is a Prayer of Surrender found on page 82 of the book that can enhance anyone’s prayer life:
Lord, here I am. I trust that you have an incredible plan for me. Today I surrender my whole being to your care. I surrender my life, my plans, and my very self to you. I make myself 100 percent available to you today. Transform me. Transform my life. Everything is on the table. Take what you want to take, and give what you want to give. Transform me into the person you created me to be, so I can live the life you envisioned for me at the beginning of time. I hold nothing back. I am 100 percent available. Lead me, challenge me, encourage me, and open my eyes to all your amazing possibilities. Show me what it is you want me to do, and I will do it. AMEN.
Another very worthwhile book on prayer is Armchair Mystic: Easing into Contemplative Prayer by Mark E. Thibodeaux, SJ. As we all enter more deeply into the Lenten disciplines of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, Father Thibodeaux reminds us what Saint Francis de Sales says about our prayer life: “Each Christian needs half an hour of prayer each day, except when we are busy….then we need an hour.” We’ll be starting with just 10 minutes, but are open to where the Holy Spirit will lead us not only in a prayer life, but in a prayerful life.
We invite you to watch our preparation videos for our virtual Lenten Series “In the Classroom of Silence” when they are posted online this week. This series is based on the Dynamic Catholic book we distributed at Christmas, Matthew Kelly’s I Heard God Laugh. The five short videos, each led by a member of our parish staff, give you an idea of what each section of this book contains. Please check the announcement about the series that appears in this edition of our bulletin. We had hoped to offer this series in-person here on campus, but due to pandemic protocols, we are offering it in the virtual format instead.