The first priority in Archbishop Mark’s Apostolic Priorities for the Archdiocese of Brisbane, documented in With Lamps Ablaze, is Teaching Prayer. He says, “Often we urge people to pray but don’t really teach them how to pray… Now is the time to teach ways of prayer which are mature and all-embracing. Christian prayer begins not with speaking but with listening; and learning to pray is therefore learning to listen – to listen even to the silences of God. If all we do is speak, then in the words of Jesus we “babble like the pagans” (Matt 6:7). But if we speak after listening and in response to God who always has the first word, then we speak according to the mind of the Holy Spirit. That’s what we need to teach and learn. In the Gospel of Mark, we read that Jesus called the twelve apostles to himself, first of all, “that they might be with him” (3:14). This is where the mission starts: being with Jesus, which is what prayer is.”

Join us for our new weekly series, Let’s Pray, where we invite you to pray along with us. Each week we will invite you to pray a new prayer with us – maybe you don’t know what to pray, or want to pray along with someone, or want to practice your faith through prayer. Our Let’s Pray series is for everyone.

Each year, the Catholic Church in Australia devotes the first Sunday in February to celebrating, studying and appreciating the Word of God. As we read and reflect on the Scriptures, or listen to the word being proclaimed in our liturgical celebrations, we open our hearts to let God transform us. The Pope says that the Bible is “the book of the Lord’s people, who, in listening to it, move from dispersion and division towards unity”. So, let’s pray that our hearts will be open to the Word of God.

• A Prayer to Open Our Hearts to the Word of God

  A Prayer to Open Our Hearts to the Word of God

  Author: Archdiocese of Brisbane

  
  Hello, I’m Clare and I’m the Director at Liturgy Brisbane. Each year, we devote the first Sunday in February to celebrating and appreciating the Word of God. As we read and reflect on the Scriptures, or listen to the word being proclaimed in our liturgical celebrations, we open our hearts to let God transform us.

  Let us pray.
  In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

  We remember with thanks those who open the Scriptures for us in teaching and the homily. O God, may those who explain and share your Word be wise in leading your people and grow themselves in faith by the Good News they proclaim.

  We remember Christians everywhere who are trying to respond to Christ’s call to discipleship and mission. O God, give them courage to embrace the Gospel and to put it into action in every part of their lives.

  We remember all those who are suffering in mind or body. O God, console them and give them strength through your words of love, care and mercy. May we reach out to those in need with the healing touch of Christ.

  We remember with joy Jesus our brother and our Lord who is present in our midst. O God, help us to know and love Christ so that your word may remain active within us and among us.

  And we make our prayer in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

  Thank you for joining us today. We hope to see you again soon.