SILENT PRAYER

"In the silence of the heart God speaks.
If you face God in prayer and silence, God will speak to you...
​Souls of prayer are souls of great silence."
​Saint Teresa of Calcutta
Watch Episode 5- Praying with Children- Praying with Silence

Help your child to be silent and still.

Silent prayer takes practice. ​Begin with 30 seconds and grow to 45 seconds, then to 60 seconds.
  1. Ask your children to close their eyes. 
  2. Say a short prayer to God- "Jesus, I love you."  or focus on an image such as the Good Shepherd.
  3. Listen for God's love in the silence of your heart.

7 Ways to Be a Better Listener

  1. Stop whatever you're doing. 
  2. Look your child in the eye. 
  3. Pay attention not just to what your child is saying, but to the nonverbal messages. 
  4. Don't interrupt. 
  5. Ask questions to encourage more conversation. 
  6. Check that you understood your child correctly. 
  7. Go to www.loyolapress.com/family-fun for more ideas and tips. Check out "THE MEAL BOX" for fun questions and family faith tips to get mealtime conversations cook'in by Bret Nicholaus and Tom McGrath

"A Moment With Jesus"  ​

"A Moment with Jesus" is a prayer feature designed to connect the truths children are learning in religious education sessions to the presence of Jesus Christ in their lives.  Each "A Moment with Jesus" card invites children to pause in prayer.  
  • Use "A Moment with Jesus" cards in your family as a way for children to share what they are learning about prayer.
  • Create a box for your "A Moment with Jesus" cards.  Draw out a card each evening for mealtime prayer.
  • Post a different card on your refrigerator each week, so that each trip to the fridge becomes a reminder to pray.
  • Use "A Moment with Jesus" prayers from previous lessons during times when you have a few extra moments for prayer.
  • ​Try creating your own prayer cards to share with your family or classmates.
Download "A Moment with Jesus" Prayer Cards:
  • 4 cards can be printed on a standard 8 1/2” by 11” sheet of paper.
  • Cut on the dotted lines to separate the cards.
  • Consider laminating the cards for extra durability.