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.

This week, we invite you to take a moment and reflect on the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Many of us will have seen images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in our churches or in our homes, which reminds us that Jesus’ heart, which began beating in Mary’s womb over 2000 years ago, is alive and continually beats with love and a call for us. Jesus’ heart might have stopped for three days when He was crucified and died, but it resumed beating on Easter Sunday and has not stopped since. As we enter into this prayer, we invite you to listen to His Sacred Heart and open ourselves to His boundless love. Let’s pray.

• Sacred Heart of Jesus

  Sacred Heart of Jesus

  Author: Archdiocese of Brisbane

  
  Welcome to a moment of reflection and prayer dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Many of us will have seen images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in our churches or in our homes. It is a beautiful image given to us by a beautiful saint. But we have to remember that Jesus’ heart is not silent like a statue or a painting. The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is alive and beating. His heart started beating in the womb of the Virgin Mary more than 2000 years ago. And when Jesus was crucified and died for us, his heart stopped. For three days, it was silent. Then, in the early hours of Easter Sunday, His heart started to beat again. And it has never stopped beating. With every heartbeat, Jesus loves us. With every heartbeat, Jesus calls us to him. Let us prepare ourselves to enter this moment of prayer with open ears, ready to listen to his Sacred Heart, and graciously receive the love of our Lord. Let’s pray.

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

  (Repeat 3x)
  O most holy heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore You, I love You, and with lively sorrow for my sins I offer You this poor heart of mine. Make me humble, patient, pure and wholly obedient to Your will. Grant, good Jesus, that I may live in You and for You. Protect me in the midst of danger. Comfort me in my afflictions. Give me health of body, assistance in my temporal needs, Your blessing on all that I do, and the grace of a holy death. Amen.

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

  Let the Sacred Heart of Jesus remind us of His constant love and mercy. May this prayer guide us toward peace and inspire us to return, filled with hope. Thank you for joining us. We hope to see you again soon.