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.

Do you have a morning routine? If so, what does it entail? We often discuss with those around us – family, friends, colleagues – about our morning rituals. While some of us may already incorporate a morning prayer into our daily routine, others may feel overwhelmed or unsure of where to begin. Our seminarian, Dylan, invites us to join him in a morning prayer by Pope Francis, which emphasises the importance of being open to God’s love and guidance each day, even amidst the hustle and bustle of life. This simple prayer allows us to connect with God before diving into our day. So, let’s pray.

• A Morning Prayer

  A Morning Prayer

  Author: Archdiocese of Brisbane

  
  Hello, I’m Dylan, and I’m currently a seminarian at the Holy Spirit Seminary. I’d like to invite you to pray with me today a morning prayer. A morning prayer is a simple prayer you can pray each morning to connect you with God before you start your day. Even for the busiest people, this prayer by His Holiness Pope Francis reminds us to be open to God’s love and guidance each day. Let’s pray.

  In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

  Holy Spirit, make my heart open to the word of God, make my heart open to goodness, make my heart open to the beauty of God every day.

  In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

  Thanks for joining me today. I hope to see you again soon.