Prayer
Welcome to Part 4, Section 1 of the Catechism in a Year with Fr. Mike Schmitz. We'll begin a new part, discussing "Christian Prayer," or How We Pray. In this first section, Fr. Mike will be talking about Prayer. To find the Reading Plan from Ascension, visit https://hallow.com/ciyplan
25 sessions
1Day 328: How We Pray (Part 4 Intro w/ Sr. Miriam James Heidland)In this fourth and final pillar of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, we learn how to take everything we’ve absorbed this year and apply it to our relationship with God through prayer.Intro to Part 4
2Day 329: The Gift of PrayerDo we pray from our pride or from a place of humility? The Catechism tells us that “humility is the foundation of prayer.” In humility we can feel God’s thirst for us, accept his gift of prayer, and pray to him from our heart. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2558-2565.CCC #2558-2565
3Day 330: The Revelation of PrayerAs the Catechism reveals, we are made for worship and called to a relationship with the Lord through prayer. God is the initiator and wants us to walk with him as he “tirelessly calls each person to the mysterious encounter known as prayer.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2566-2573.CCC #2566-2573
4Day 331: The Foundations of PrayerDo we know how to pray? The Catechism depicts Moses learning how to pray and uses this as an example of prayer and relationship with God. The Catechism goes on to talk about David and his experiences with prayer and the Psalms. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2574-2580.CCC #2574-2580
5Day 332: Prayer Converts Our HeartThe Catechism discusses the significance of prayer beginning with the prophets and their observations about the Temple and ritualism. It is noteworthy that while we must worship the Lord externally, this must be in tandem with prayer and cannot remain external. With Fr. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2581-2589.CCC #2581-2589
6Day 333: The PsalmsThe Psalms are essential and powerful prayers. Through praying the Psalms, we are giving praise to God and expressing our belief while simultaneously nourishing our faith. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2590-2597.CCC #2590-2597*
7Day 334: Jesus PraysWe look at how Jesus prays in this section of the Catechism. It is revealed how Jesus learned to pray, the frequency of his prayers, and where he prayed. Jesus brought his needs to the Father including his last words and final “loud cry”. Today’s readings are paragraphs 2598-2606.CCC #2598-2606
8Day 335: Jesus Teaches us to PrayAt the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches us to pray through his own prayer to the Father. As we watch Jesus pray, his prayer becomes our template for our own prayer. Fr. Mike emphasizes that our prayer should not just be external, but rather should be an internal conversion of heart. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2607-2615.CCC #2607-2615
9Day 336: Jesus Hears Our PrayerWe arrive at the conclusion of the article on how Jesus prays, teaches us to pray, and hears our prayer. Fr. Mike examines the remarkable beauty and simplicity of the “Jesus Prayer.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2616-2622.CCC #2616-2622*
10Day 337: Blessing, Adoration, and PetitionPrayer in the age of the Church takes on many different forms. Together, we examine specifically blessing, adoration, and petition. Fr. Mike emphasizes the beauty that all of our prayers of blessing are a response to God’s blessings for us. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2623-2633.CCC #2623-2633
11Day 338: Intercession and ThanksgivingWe look at two more forms of prayer: intercession and thanksgiving. Fr. Mike emphasizes that in the age of the Church, intercession, or asking on behalf of another, is participating in Christ’s mediation. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2634-2638.CCC #2634-2638
12Day 339: Prayer of PraiseWe examine both prayers of praise and also the “nuggets” for this section on the forms of prayer. Fr. Mike emphasizes that praise is giving God glory for who he is. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2639-2649.CCC #2639-2649*
13Day 340: Scripture and the LiturgyHow do we pray? Prayer is essential for our relationship with the Lord. The Catechism teaches that we must study the Scriptures, learn how to pray, and have the will to pray. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2650-2655.CCC #2650-2655
14Day 341: The Theological VirtuesThe Catechism reveals the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love as additional “wellsprings” of prayer for us to connect with the Father. Fr. Mike explains that we must enter into prayer with faith, pray in hope, and love as God loves us. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2656-2662.CCC #2656-2662*
15Day 342: Trinitarian PrayerWhat is the significance of praying to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? As we explore the path of prayer, the Catechism elaborates on the concept of trinitarian prayer and underscores the importance of establishing a relationship with each member of the Holy Trinity. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 2663-2672.CCC #2663-2672
16Day 343: Praying Through MaryTo love Mary doesn’t mean our hearts belong any less to Jesus. Today, the Catechism explains our Blessed Mother’s role in prayer and why the Catholic Church prays in communion with her. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2673-2682.CCC #2673-2682*
17Day 344: Guides for PrayerWe are lifelong learners in the school of prayer. The Church offers various guides to help us grow and cultivate our prayer lives. These include the family, the saints, priests, religious brothers and sisters, prayer groups, spiritual directors, and more. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2683-2690.CCC #2683-2690
18Day 345: Animated by PrayerWe know we can pray anywhere at any time, yet certain places are more favorable for prayer. There are also certain rhythms of prayer in the life of the Church that foster regular attention to the Lord. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2691-2699.CCC #2691-2699*
19Day 346: Meditation and Vocal PrayerBecause man is both body and spirit, our prayers can be vocal and meditative. We learn that vocal prayer expresses the movements of our hearts and minds, enabling us to pray with the fullness of our being. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2700-2708.CCC #2700-2708
20Day 347: Contemplative PrayerIn contemplative prayer, we seek Jesus. As St. Teresa of Avila put it, contemplative prayer “is nothing else than a close sharing between friends.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2709-2724.CCC #2709-2724*
21Day 348: The Battle of PrayerPrayer is "grace and grit," as Fr. Mike phrases it. In this section, one of Fr. Mike's favorites in the Catechism, we hear that "we pray as we live because we live as we pray." Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 2725-2731.CCC #2725-2731
22Day 349: Temptation, Trust, and PrayerWhat motivates our prayer? Do we see God as our “divine genie,” or do we look to him as our Father? We learn that the most common temptation in prayer is a lack of faith. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2732-2737.CCC #2732-2737
23Day 350: Persevering in PrayerThe Catechism teaches about the effectiveness of prayer and how to persevere in prayer. Fr. Mike explains that although God already knows what we need before we ask, he wants us to pray, and he extends us dignity by allowing us to pray and ask for what we need. In the process of prayer, we are able to learn the heart of the Father, grow closer to him, and become more like him. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2738-2745.CCC #2738-2745
24Day 351: The Prayer of the Hour of JesusLooking at the prayer of the Hour of Jesus, we learn from the Catechism that it “embraces the whole economy of creation and salvation, as well as his death and Resurrection.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2746-2751.CCC #2746-2751
25Day 352: Summary of The Battle of PrayerFr. Mike reviews this section of the Catechism, summarizing the battle of prayer and the prayer of the hour of Jesus. We are reminded that prayer is active, and we must engage in grace. The Catechism goes on to state that, “We pray as we live because we live as we pray.” Today’s readings are paragraphs 2752-2758.CCC #2752-2758*