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.
As we light the second candle of Advent, the candle of peace, we invite you to prepare your heart for the coming of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. God gives us the gift of peace when we turn to Him in faith, allowing us to trust in His promises. So, let us ask Great God of power and mercy that He may open our hearts to seek His face and the peace that is found in His presence. Let’s pray.
- Advent Prayer for Peace
Advent Prayer for Peace
Author: Archdiocese of Brisbane
Hello, Fr Gerard from Our Lady of the Rosary parish in the Sunshine Coast. And I’m Fr Josh also from Our Lady of the Rosary parish. We invite you to pray with us, asking our all-powerful God for peace in this second week of Advent. Let us pray.In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Great God of power and mercy, open our hearts so that we may seek your face and the peace that is found in your presence.
R: God of peace, hear our prayer.
You sent your son Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, into the world to save us and to heal us.
R: God of peace, hear our prayer.
Our sinfulness has caused darkness and despair, but you, our Loving God, have made peace with us and restored us to grace.
R: God of peace, hear our prayer.
Lord, open our eyes to see your Kingdom of peace, where lion and lamb may lie down together, where there is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female.
R: God of peace, hear our prayer.
Use us, your people, to bring about your holy will on earth and bring the day when all people shall live in your peace.
R: God of peace, hear our prayer.
For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever.In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Thank you for joining us and we look forward to seeing you again soon.