Eight Themes for Prayer 1. God Provides for Me. (Grace: Deeper trust in the Father s care for me.) How have I experienced God s providential care in the events and relationships of my life? Where or how have I been hindered in my ability to trust? 2. God Chooses to Make Me. (Grace: A stronger Yes to my own existence.) How have my parents influenced my opinion or acceptance (non-acceptance) of myself? Can I recall a time when I was grateful for who I am (my strengths and weaknesses)? 3. God Gives Himself to Me. (Grace: Power to rejoice in my union with God. How have I received love and affection from others? In what specific incident did I find it difficult to receive love/ easy to receive love? 4. God Desires to Forgive Me. (Grace: Deeper sense of His mercy for me.) How has God s mercy brought me to this time and place? What areas of my own life still need His mercy? How can I practice mercy in my own relationships with others? 5. Jesus Desires to Save Me. (Grace: To allow Him to act freely in me.) How have I changed in my ability to love, to sacrifice, to put others first? Where am I reluctant to change (what areas)? 6. Jesus Calls Me Beyond Myself. (Grace: To respond with generosity.) When and where do I find it easy / difficult to give of myself? How can I respond to God s grace of generosity? 7. Jesus Makes Me His Intimate Disciple. (Grace: Deeper personal knowledge of God.) How do I relate to Jesus? to God the Father? 8. Jesus Unites Me to His Body. (Grace: Growth in my ability to share and receive.) Why do I fear receiving love from others? Do I share enough of myself with others, or do I hold back? Why? Page 1 of 16
Praying the Weekly Cycle of Exercises Select a Scripture text from the list of choices for the Prayer Theme for the week for each day of the week except Sunday. You may repeat any text as often as you like. On Sunday select a Scripture text from one of the three readings assigned to the Liturgy of the Word for that Sunday. Preparatory prayer: Begin every exercise by spending a few seconds on the following vocal prayer which sums up the overall commitment of the exercises: Dear God, give me and my director the grace to direct our intentions, actions and works solely to your service and praise. Compose yourself for prayer: Place yourself as vividly as possible in the presence of God (setting aside all else in order to devote the prayer time to God alone). Choose one of the Scripture passages assigned to the Prayer Theme selected for the week. Be as receptive as you can. Allow the mystery to speak to your heart. Let any movement of feeling or intuitive knowing have its way. Do not try to control it, but rather give yourself up to its working. Ask for a grace: You should begin every prayer period by asking for the grace corresponding to the Prayer Theme. By graces are meant gifts which we cannot obtain by our own efforts but which, if we seek them earnestly, we will surely receive from God when we are ready (rightly disposed to receive them). Ponder in the heart, not in the head: The key method in mental prayer is to avoid reasoning about the truths of faith but to dispose yourself instead to receive the impact of God s words and acts in the depths of your being - that is, in your inmost heart. This is where the Holy Spirit loves to move your personal responses, your felt-knowing. If you have not already learned how to do this, please ask your personal director to coach you in the skills involved. Dialogue: At the conclusion of every exercise a brief conversation with the Lord, person to Person, is normal. This should be spontaneous, heartfelt, thankful, praising God, and emerging concretely out of the prayer experiences received. It may also be directed to Mary or to any particular saint, as seems appropriate. End with an Our Father. (You may also use the Triple Dialogue.) Journal: The purpose of the prayer journal is to keep a definite record of the date, scripture text, exact sequence of events in one s life, prayer experiences, graces received, memories and reflections. The date, text and sought grace should be noted at once. Then brief phrases or sentences should describe whatever experiences can be clearly named. The primary effort is to be descriptive rather than interpretive (precisely what happened? What was it like? How did you feel about it? What was it connected with?). Record experiences which stand out sufficiently to be noticed. Give examples of positive events (single words, phrases, verses; thoughts; images; movements). Give examples of negative events (distractions, dryness, disturbance, temptations). THE JOURNAL IS FOR YOUR EYES ONLY. Page 2 of 16
SOUL OF CHRIST Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me. Within Thy wounds, hide me. Permit me not to be separated from Thee. From the wicked foe, defend me. At the hour of my death, call me. And bid me come to Thee, That with Thy saints I may praise Thee, For ever and ever. Amen. Page 3 of 16
DIALOGUE WITH THREE PERSONS I. The first dialogue is with Mary the Mother of Jesus: Bring yourself imaginatively into her presence, and ask her to intercede for you with Jesus, her Son. Tell her the graces you urgently need at this time. Please conclude the first dialogue by saying the Hail Mary. II. The second dialogue is with Jesus Christ, Our Lord: Taking Mary s hand in yours, please go to her Son, and kneeling together let her ask Jesus that these same graces be given to you. Afterwards, please conclude by saying the Soul of Christ. III. The third dialogue is with the Father: Taking Jesus hand at your right and Mary s hand at your left, go together to kneel before the Father. Let the Son ask Him that the same graces be given to you abundantly. Afterwards, please conclude by saying the Our Father. Page 4 of 16
Preliminary Scripture Texts Grace: To be open and allow the Holy Spirit to work in me. A) Psalm 16 You hold my lot secure. B) Psalm 25 To you I lift up my soul, O Lord. C) Psalm 27 My light and my salvation. D) Is 55:10-13 The word of God is effective. E) Mt 28:16-20 I am with you to the end of time. F) Lk 10:21-28 The Son chooses to reveal God. G) Jn 14:15-21 You in me, and I in you. H) Rom 8:18-27 The Spirit helps us in weakness. I) Heb 4:12-16 The word of God cuts like a double-edged sword. Page 5 of 16
1. God Provides for Me. Grace: Deeper trust in the Father s care for me. How have I experienced God s providential care in the events and relationships of my life? Where or how have I been hindered in my ability to trust? A) Lk 11:1-11 Lord, teach us to pray. B) Lk 12:22-32 Why are you anxious? C) Is 43:1-7 You are precious in my eyes. D) Eph 3:14-21 Paul s prayer: to grow strong. E) Ps 23 The Lord is my Shepherd. F) Ps 62 Hope in God alone. G) Jn 14:1-7 Let not your hearts be troubled. H) Is 41:8-14 Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I) Ps 91 God s protection. J) Ps 89:1-18 God s faithfulness. K) Mt 10:28-31 Our hairs are numbered. L) Heb 11:8-19 Abraham s faith. M) Phil 4:4-13 Have no anxiety about anything. N) Jer 17:5-14 Blessed the one who trusts in God. O) Deut 7:6-11 It is because the Lord loves you. Page 6 of 16
2. God Chooses to Make Me. Grace: A stronger Yes to my own existence. How have my parents influenced my opinion or acceptance (non-acceptance) of myself? Can I recall a time when I was grateful for who I am (my strengths and weaknesses)? A) Ps 148 Hymn to the Creator. B) Ps 139:1-18 O Lord, you know me. C) Is 45:9-13 The clay argues with the hands. D) Wis 11:21-27 You love all that you have made. E) Eph 2:4-10 You are God s work of art. F) Jn 1:1-18 Through Him all things came to be. G) Acts 2:1-21 On my servant I pour my Spirit. H) Exod 3:4-10 The burning bush. I) Ps 19 The heavens tell the glory of God. J) Ps 104 How manifold are your works. K) Gen 1:1-2:25 The seven days of creation. L) Jer 18:1-12 The potter and his clay. M) Is 54:4-12 The waters shall not flood. N) Wis 13:1-9 The author of beauty made these. O) Job 38:1-39:30 When I laid the foundations. Page 7 of 16
3. God Gives Himself to Me. Grace: Power to rejoice in my union with God. How have I received love and affection from others? In what specific incident did I find it difficult to receive love/ easy to receive love? A) Ps 145 You satisfy living things. B) Hos 11:1-9 When Israel was a child. C) Rom 8:26-39 He will not refuse anything. D) Is 55:1-11 Listen and your soul will live. E) Lk 1:46-55 He has done great things for me. F) Jam 1:16-18 Every perfect gift is from above. G) Ps 34:1-10 Taste how good the Lord is. H) Jn 3:16-17 He gave his only-begotten Son. I) Rom 5:15-21 Grace abounding more than sin. J) Ps 136 His steadfast love endures. K) Jn 14:15-28 The Spirit is given to us. L) 1 Jn 5:11-15 He who has the Son has life. M) Ps 16 The Lord is my refuge. N) Jn 17:11-26 I have loved them as you do. O) Gal 5:16-26 The gifts of the Spirit. Page 8 of 16
4. God Desires to Forgive Me. Grace: Deeper sense of His mercy for me. How has God s mercy brought me to this time and place? What areas of my own life still need His mercy? How can I practice mercy in my own relationships with others? A) Lk 15:11-32 Parable of the Prodigal Son. B) Ps 103 Never treats us as we deserve. C) Ps 130 Out of the depths I call you. D) Lk 7:36-50 The woman who was a sinner. E) Jn 8:2-11 The woman taken in adultery. F) Jn 20:19-23 Whose sins you shall forgive. G) Ez 11:17-21 Heart of stone...heart of flesh. H) Ps 51 Do not despise a contrite heart. I) 1 Jn 1:5-2:2 Blood of Jesus cleanses us. J) 2 Cor 5:16-21 Old has gone, new has come. K) Lk 15:1-10 Parables of lost sheep, lost coin. L) Lk 19:1-10 Zaccheus. M) Jer 31:31-34 I will write it in their hearts. N) 1 Jn 4:7-12 He sent His Son to expiate our sins. O) Lk 18:9-14 The pharisee and the publican. Page 9 of 16
5. Jesus Desires to Save Me. Grace: To allow Him to act freely in me. How have I changed in my ability to love, to sacrifice, to put others first? Where am I reluctant to change (what areas)? A) Rom 7:11-24 Another law in my members. B) Jn 3:1-12 Conversation with Nicodemus. C) Jn 10:7-18 I give my life for my sheep. D) 2 Cor 4:7-11 Earthen vessels. E) Gal 2:19-21 Christ lives in me. F) Phil 3:7-12 The power of His resurrection. G) 1 Tim 1:12-17 Jesus came to save sinners. H) Rom 5:1-11 God s love poured into our hearts. I) Phil 1:19-26 To live is Christ. J) 2 Cor 1:18-22 In Him it is always Yes. K) 1 Jn 4:13-21 Sent His Son to be our Savior. L) Lk 23:32-43 Today with Me in paradise. M) Eph 2:11-22 Through Him we know the Father. N) Heb 4:14-5:10 Source of salvation to all. O) Jn 6:52-71 You have the words of eternal life. Page 10 of 16
6. Jesus Calls Me Beyond Myself. Grace: To respond with generosity. When and where do I find it easy / difficult to give of myself? How can I respond to God s grace of generosity? A) Lk 1:26-38 Let it be done to me. B) Jn 1:35-51 Come and see. C) Lk 5:1-11 They left everything and followed him. D) Mt 9:9-17 He eats with publicans and sinners. E) Gen 12:1-5 Leave your father s house. F) 1 Sam 3:1-14 Speak, Lord, your servant listens. G) Is 6:1-10 Here I am, Lord. H) Jer 1:1-10 To whom I send you, you will go. I) 1 Sam 16:1-13 The call of David. J) Ps 42:1-8 The heart longs for living water. K) Jn 3:22-30 Call of John the Baptist. L) Mk 10:17-22 The rich young man. M) Lk 9:57-62 The Son of Man has nowhere. N) Mt 13:44-46 Parables of treasure and of pearl. O) Phil 4:8-13 I can do all things in Him. Page 11 of 16
7. Jesus Makes Me His Intimate Disciple. Grace: Deeper personal knowledge of God. How do I relate to Jesus? to God the Father? A) Jn 13:1-17 The washing of the feet. B) Jn 4:1-42 The woman at the well. C) Gal 4:1-7 Abba, Father. D) Mk 8:31-38 Peter s remonstrance and rebuke. E) Mk 9:30-37 Be as a little child. F) Lk 10:38-42 Martha and Mary. G) Jn 15:1-11 The vine and the branches. H) Mk 10:35-45 The Son of Man came not to be served. I) Mt 5:13-16 Salt of the earth, light of the world. J) Lk 6:27-38 Love your enemies. K) Mt 7:21-27 House built on rock or on sand. L) Mt 11:25-30 Take my yoke upon you. M) 2 Cor 12:1-10 Boasting in my weakness. N) Jn 13:21-26 Disciple whom Jesus loved. O) Rev 3:15-22 I stand at the door and knock. Page 12 of 16
8. Jesus Unites Me to His Body. Grace: Growth in my ability to share and receive. Why do I fear receiving love from others? Do I share enough of myself with others, or do I hold back? Why? A) Phil 2:1-8 Be of one heart and mind. B) Rom 12:3-13 One body and many members. C) 1 Cor 12:4-30 Varieties of gifts but same Spirit. D) Mt 18:15-22 Offenses against one another. E) 1 Cor 13:1-7 Love bears all things. F) Col 1:9-20 Head of the body. G) Jn 15:12-17 Love one another as I have loved you. H) Eph 1:15-23 His power working in us. I) Jn 2:13-22 Money-changers driven from the Temple. J) Acts 2:42-47 Earliest Christian community. K) Acts 6:1-6 The seven deacons. L) Eph 4:1-16 Whole body fitted and joined together. M) 2 Cor 3:12-4:6 Bright mirrors of Christ. N) 1 Thes 4:1-12 The call to holiness. O) Rev 21:1-4 As a bride adorned for her husband. Page 13 of 16
PUBLIC LIFE MYSTERIES FOR CONTEMPLATION 1) Mk 1:21-28 Cure of a Demoniac. 2) Mk 1:29-31 Cure of Simon s Mother-in-law. 3) Mk 1:40-45 Cure of a Leper. 4) Mk 2:1-12 Cure of a Paralytic. 5) Mk 3:1-6 Cure of Man with a Withered Hand. 6) Mk 4:1-20 Parable of the Sower. 7) Mk 5:1-20 Cure of the Gerasene Demoniac. 8) Mk 5:21-43 Cure of Jairus Daughter and the Woman with a Hemorrhage. 9) Mk 6:1-6 The Visit to Nazareth. 10) Mk 6:14-29 Beheading of John the Baptist. 11) Mk 7:24-30 Cure of Syro-Phoenician Woman s Daughter. 12) Mk 7:31-37 Cure of a Deaf Man. 13) Mk 8:22-26 Cure of a Blind Man at Bethsaida. 14) Mk 9:14-29 Cure of an Epileptic. 15) Mk 10:13-16 Jesus and the Children. 16) Mk 10:46-52 Cure of the Blind Man at Jericho. 17) Mk 12:41-44 The Widow s Mite. 18) Mt 8:5-13 Cure of the Centurion s Servant. 19) Mt 11:2-15 The Question of John the Baptist. 20) Mt 12:1-8 Picking Corn on the Sabbath. 21) Mt 12:22-32 Cure of a Mute Man. 22) Mt 13:24-30 Parable of the Weeds. 23) Mt 17:24-27 Jesus Pays the Temple Tax. 24) Mt 18:21-35 Parable of the Unforgiving Debtor. 25) Mt 21:28-32 Parable of the Two Sons. 26) Mt 25:14-30 Parable of the Talents. 27) Mt 25:31-46 Parable of the Last Judgment. 28) Lk 7:11-17 Raising of the Widow of Nain s Son. 29) Lk 10:29-37 Parable of the Good Samaritan. 30) Lk 13:10-17 Cure of a Crippled Woman. 31) Lk 14:1-6 Cure of a Dropsical Man. 32) Lk 16:1-8 Parable of the Crafty Steward. 33) Lk 16:19-31 Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. 34) Lk 18:1-8 Parable of the Unjust Judge. 35) Jn 4:46-54 Parable of the Nobleman s Son. 36) Jn 5:1-18 Cure of a Sick Man. 37) Jn 9:1-41 Cure of the Man Born Blind. Page 14 of 16
PUBLIC LIFE MYSTERIES FOR CONTEMPLATION 38) Mt 3:13-17 The Baptism of Christ. 39) Lk 4:1-13 The Temptations of Christ (Mt 4:1-11) 40) Lk 5:1-11 The Call of the Apostles (Mt 9:9-13) 41) Jn 2:1-12 The Wedding at Cana. 42) Jn 2:13-22 Jesus Casts Sellers from the Temple. 43) Mt 5:1-16 The Sermon on the Mount. 44) Mk 4:35-41 The Calming of the Storm. 45) Mt 14:22-33 The Walking on the Water. 46) Mt 10:1-15 The Sending of the Apostles. 47) Lk 7:36-50 Woman at Simon the Pharisee s House. 48) Mt 14:13-21 Multiplication of the Loaves. 49) Mt 17:1-8 The Transfiguration. 50) Jn 11:1-44 The Raising of Lazarus. 51) Mt 26:6-13 The Supper at Bethany (Jn 12:1-11) 52) Jn 12:12-19 The Entry into Jerusalem. 53) Lk 19:47-48 Jesus Preaches in the Temple (Jn 12:20-36) The last sixteen mysteries, nos. 38-53, are those used in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Page 15 of 16
HIDDEN LIFE MYSTERIES FOR CONTEMPLATION A) Lk 1:26-38 The Annunciation. B) Lk 1:39-56 The Visitation. C) Lk 2:1-14 The Nativity (Mt 1:18-25). D) Lk 2:8-20 The Visit of the Shepherds. E) Mt 2:1-12 The Visit of the Magi. F) Lk 2:21-39 The Presentation G) Mt 2:13-18 The Flight into Egypt. H) Mt 2:19-23 The Return to Nazareth. I) Lk 2:41-50 The Finding in the Temple. J) Lk 2:51-52 The Hidden Life at Nazareth. K) Lk 1:5-25 The Conception of John the Baptist. L) Lk 1:57-80 The Birth of John the Baptist. Page 16 of 16