Welcome to Praying through Advent
Prayer resources for Advent and Christmas
Fr Gerry Cobham has kindly agreed to give us some throughts and reflections on why we pray in Advent to start our 'Praying through Advent' programme.
We need two sets of eyes in these days of Advent. Why? ‘Answer’: Hymn ‘ O Jesus Christ remember when thou shalt come again’ A hymn telling us of Jesus’ second coming, a belief that we all profess every Sunday in The Creed, A belief dominant till the 16th December.
The other set of eyes (17th -25th December) are solidly taking in what is being proclaimed every time we set foot out of doors. It is Christmas- but not quite yet. Eyes to the left, eyes to the right. This season calls for a balancing act of faith.​
Pope John Paul II wrote, ‘Advent is the period of waiting – Christian waiting and perseverance in faith and in struggle, by virtue of Christ’s grace in us. Advent opens a chapter each year in that book of salvation, which God writes in the church through the story which is me’
Fr Gerry Cobham
So, we are living in what can be called ‘The state of in-between’. This state as we know to our cost, is a period where good and bad, light and darkness, life and death spar with one another to take control. There is friction and we pray in Advent to try and ensure that what we do and say reflect the values that Jesus stands for. If we can find the balance between Jesus’ second coming, and his coming into my life, my heart, my family, my home at Christmas we will see a harmony between turkey and tinsel, lights, shops, commerce and the life that Jesus comes to bring on December 25th. There shouldn’t be any conflict at all.
Our Advent liturgy is rich in symbol. The readings at Mass are powerful from Isaiah. It is a time of joyful preparation Isaiah will proclaim, not be Lenten penitential one. Try and take part in a Mass in Church or online. You may want to contribute a gift to ‘My Day by Day ‘ go to: https://www.archpublishing.co.uk/subscriptions you will be amply rewarded, I assure you.
An Advent Poem from the
Iona Community
Light looked down and saw the darkness,
‘I will go there,’ said light
Peace looked down and saw war.
I will go there,’ said peace
Love looked down and saw the hatred
‘I will go there,’ said love.
So he
The Lord of Light
The Prince of Peace
The King of Love came down and crept in beside us
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Acknowledgement John Bell – Iona Community
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Prepare for your Prayer Time
In the coming week prepare for your prayer time for Advent. Remember 'Pray as you can not as you can't'
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Don't set yourself targets of prayer that are not sustainable A good five minutes is better than a bad half hour
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Find a place that is comfortable for you to pray, a place where you can relax and be at one with yourself and God.
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Think about the time of day/ night you are going to pray, it may vary from day to day, that doesn't matter. It's what works for you.
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Do you need any symbols to focus on, a candle, crucifix or Bible.
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If you miss a day it doesn't matter, just start again the next day.
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Think about a prayer journal - capture the thoughts and feelings you have in your prayer time, this is how God speaks to us.
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Most of all, try and enjoy it!
Praying through Advent
As we begin our second Parish Prayer Retreat to help us prepare, this page is a reminder of some of the prayer methods we used during the prayer retreat.
Lectio Divina
This prayer method is one of the most accessible types available to all of us. You can pray with the Word, with a physical Bible, or even with a passage of Scripture you have memorized. God is with you and in Scripture at all times — whether it’s before you go to sleep or on your commute to work.
Then, after reading or listening for a second time, consider: What sticks out to you? Perhaps it’s a particular image, phrase, or single word. Let that be your focus, meditating on what might God be trying to show you through what stands out.
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Pray
Respond to the text and to God. Ask God to show you what He wants you to take from it. This could lead How to pray Lectio Divina
The time you spend praying the Lectio Divina is entirely up to you and varies by person. Remember it’s quality not quantity.
2. Read
Take a short passage from the Bible and listen to it carefully. Let it soak in.
3.Meditate
You to offer thanks, ask forgiveness, or simply talk with God about what the passage brought to your heart.
4. Contemplate
Rest with God. Be aware of God’s presence with you. Listen for His voice.
At the end of the Lectio Divina, close with the 'Our Father' and the Sign of the Cross.
5 Journal
You may find it useful to record your experience in your journal. What were your feelings as you read you passage?
Was there any word or phrase that stands out to you? Why? Spend time with this.
How did you feel at the end of the prayer session?
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Adapted from article by Alex jones ‘ How to pray lectio Devina’
Imaginative Contemplation
Just a quick reminder of how to pray this way:
Read one of the recommended Bible passages
The first step in an Imaginative Contemplation exercise is setting the scene. So, what is the location? What does it look like? What details do you see? Getting into the details here will help.
Let the scene play out
This is to let the story unfold and to allow yourself to be drawn into what has captured your imagination. Sometimes people are not drawn to the main action of the story but towards other things. When this happens, it is best not to judge that but to allow yourself to follow what you are naturally being drawn to.
Reflect on your experience
After the contemplation has finished, it is very important to take some time to reflect on what you noticed. Look back at your prayer and honestly ask yourself:
- What did I find myself thinking and feeling? What moved me?
- What struck me (especially the unusual or unexpected) and why did I react the way I did?
- Did anything in the contemplation change the way I see God, myself, or others?
- How did Jesus’ words or actions in the contemplation make me feel?
Write your answers in your journal and reflect on them through the week
The result of this reflection should be an insight into ourselves, our relationship with God, and our relationships with others.
Forms of Praying with Music
Just as we’ve talked about praying from scripture, so can we pray from songs. Songs connect with our emotions and hearts. The language of the lyrics is rhythmic and poetic. Songs work their way into our souls and help us express what’s on our hearts.
Let’s look at three ways you can experience praying with music.
Idea #1: Let the Song Be Your Prayer
Sing along and allow the words of the song to be your prayer. Sing it. Listen to it. Let the song permeate your heart.
Allow the song to open your heart and mind to conversations with God. If a verse or a few words tug at your heart, stay with them, write them in your journal and enter the conversation with God.
You can put a single song on repeat so you can fully immerse yourself in the song. Starting off by listening to the words and allowing the music to move your soul. Then, if you wish begin to sing along, singing heartfelt words of prayer to God. You may just like to listen and that is fine, pray as you can, not as you can’t As you feel prompted, you may take your prayers further with God as you let the song play in the background.
Idea #2: Pray the Lyrics
How often do you sing songs in church or along with the radio, but don’t take time to really consider the words? Hymns and worship songs are based on prayer and Scripture. Try using just the lyrics for your prayer.
Don’t sing along. Instead, simply read the words, taking time to consider what they mean and how they can be your prayer.
Idea #3: Use Music to Help You Focus
Do you listen to music when you study or work? Music has a profound ability to drown out the distractions in my mind and help us to become laser-focused on the task at hand.
Music can do the same for your prayers. Try putting some soft music on in the background for your prayers to help you focus.
Each week during Advent there will be music suggestions for you to spend time with. After your prayer time reflect on your feelings and what the music said to you. Record your thoughts and feelings in your prayer journal.
