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.

• Let's Pray - Saint Francis' Prayer of Creation

  Let's Pray - Saint Francis' Prayer of Creation

  Author: Archdiocese of Brisbane

  
  I am going to say the prayer of Saint Francis, the Canticle of Creation, which Saint Francis wrote to praise God in all that we see.

  Most High, all powerful, good Lord, Yours are the praises, the glory, the honour, and all blessing.

  To You alone, Most High, do they belong, and no man is worthy to mention Your name.

  Be praised, my Lord, through all Your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and You give light through him.

  And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendour!
  Of You, Most High, he bears the likeness.

  Praise be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars, in heaven You formed them clear and precious and beautiful.

  Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind, through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather through which You give sustenance to Your creatures.

  Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water, which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.

  Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom You light the night and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.

  Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Mother Earth, who sustains us and governs us and who produces varied fruits with coloured flowers and herbs.

  Praised be You, my Lord, through those who give pardon for Your love, and bear infirmity and tribulation.

  Blessed are those who endure in peace for You, Most High, they shall be crowned.

  Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Bodily Death, through whom no living man can escape.

  Woe to those who die in mortal sin.

  Praised are those whom death will find in Your most holy will, for the second death shall do them no harm.

  Praise and bless my Lord, and give Him thanks and serve Him with great humility.

  Pace e bene.