Prayer is at the heart of the Catholic life. Whether practiced individually or in community, prayer opens us to a deeper relationship with God and helps us grow as disciples.
Parish small faith-sharing groups
Lenten or seasonal series
Youth groups and Confirmation programs (Grades 8+)
Retreats and days of reflection
Individuals seeking structured prayer
Methods of Prayer
Introduces different ways Catholics pray, helping participants discover prayer practices that resonate with them.
Examples include:
Lectio Divina, Ignatian Meditation, charismatic prayer, silence and contemplation.
Scripture-Based Prayer
Helps participants learn how to pray with Scripture and listen for God’s voice through the Word.
Examples include:
Gospel reflection, Psalms, guided Scripture meditation.
Faith Sharing
Encourages participants to reflect on how God is present and active in their lives and to share their faith in a supportive environment.
Seasonal Series
Designed for Advent, Lent, Easter, or parish-wide series that invite deeper reflection and conversion.
Media-Based Small Groups
Uses short videos or series (such as The Chosen) as conversation starters grounded in Scripture and Church teaching.
The following example shows how a typical prayer-based small-group session might be structured.
Sample Session: Praying with Scripture
Purpose:
To introduce participants to praying with Scripture and listening for God’s invitation in their lives.
Typical length: 60–75 minutes
Suitable for: Adults, Youth (Grades 8+), or mixed groups
1. Welcome and Opening Prayer (5 minutes)
Invite the group to become still and place themselves in God’s presence.
2. Scripture Reading (10 minutes)
Proclaim a short Scripture passage slowly, allowing time for silence.
3. Guided Reflection or Video (15 minutes)
Offer a brief reflection or watch a short video introducing the prayer method.
4. Faith Sharing (25 minutes)
Invite participants to share what stood out to them, without pressure to respond or explain.
5. Closing Prayer (5 minutes)
Conclude with intercessions or a simple prayer of gratitude.
Small-group prayer is most fruitful when participants are free to share without judgment and to listen without the need to fix or correct others. Leaders are encouraged to foster an atmosphere of reverence, trust, and openness to the Holy Spirit.