Intro

As we prepare to proclaim God’s Word its important to recognize the power of God’s Word. Scripture tells us that God’s word is living and active. (Heb. 4:12) In Baptism we are called and equipped by grace to perform these sacred roles of priest, prophet and king.

The prophet is one who listens to God and proclaims the Word of God. The prophet is literally God’s mouthpiece. As lectors, we are speaking God’s Word to the assembly of God’s people.

Point to Ponder:

Think about how amazing this is. God is using your voice to speak His Word to others.

How to:

As you prepare to proclaim, remember all the things you’ve learned about public speaking. For example, project your voice, read slowly, but not monotone, speak clearly and check pronunciation of unfamiliar words, etc. In addition to these basic steps, add the following prayerful tips to enrich your preparation.

Tip #1 foster a humble disposition towards Scripture.

Effective proclamation is the fruit of humble meditation. The bible is more than a book, more than story. Layers of meaning are carefully crafted into it. It’s too easy to dismiss the bible as too complicated, too far-fetched or too confusing. Without a humble disposition towards Scripture we miss the point entirely. God inspired scripture so that He might speak to us. Meditation involves listening to the deeper meaning of God’s Word. Only then do we understand how we are to proclaim it, what to what to emphasize, when to slow down and when to speed up.

Tip #2 pray (and fast) for those who will hear God’s word proclaimed.

Proclamation is not just about careful reading and excellent enunciation it’s about changing lives. It’s about converting the skeptic in each of us. It’s about someone hearing God’s word, as if for the first time, and saying this word speaks to me.

God wants to work through his human instruments. God’s word is powerful on its own, but it might just be that through your prayer, your humility, your boldness, your meditation that God’s Word is truly heard. How beautiful and what a privilege it is to help someone hear God’s voice through our proclamation.

Intro:

As we prepare to offer the gifts of bread and wine to God, its important to recognize the spiritual value of this ordinary offering.

Point to ponder:

Consider the meaning of the bread and wine we offer. Through human effort we make God’s gifts to us into our gift to God. But through divine power God will in turn transform our gift into His gift to us. What a tremendous exchange. We offer God the fruit of our lives and in return He offers us his own divine life.

How to:

Tip #1 Make the offering personal.

As you anticipate the offering you will make, prayerfully think about your life as an offering to be blessed and transformed by God. After all, your life, like the bread and wine you carry, is a gift of God’s goodness. Offer your hopes and dreams along with the bread and wine you carry.

Tip #2 Give God permission to change you.

Every self-gift implies self-sacrifice. Giving of ourselves, giving up control, giving up the things that have come between us and God. The bible is full of stories that show us that a humble and apologetic heart is the most precious gift to we can offer to God.

Intro:

As we prepare to pray on behalf of others its important to recognize the power of Christian prayer.

Our humble prayers are wrapped in the prayer of Christ. Jesus teaches us to ask confidently boldly in his name. “I will do whatever you ask in my name” (John14:13).

Point to ponder:

In Christian prayer, above all in the liturgy, the Father hears our words in the voice of his Son. He is sure to respond.

How to:

As you prepare to pray, remember all the things you’ve learned about public speaking. For example, project your voice, read slowly, but not monotone, speak clearly and check pronunciation of unfamiliar words, etc. In addition to these basic steps, add the following prayerful tips to enrich your preparation.

Tip #1 join yourself personally to each prayer intention.

Think about each prayer intention beforehand. Each intention is expressed in a general (or universal) way. For example, we pray for the church, church leaders, the sick, and ourselves. The intention applies to countless situations in an unlimited way. So why not join your unique intention to it.

As you pray for the general need, think of a specific situation related to it and all the unspoken prayers of the community. In this way you won’t be simply praying with your words, but with your whole heart.

Tip #2 pray a little beforehand.

Let your time of preparation be a time of prayer as well. As you connect yourself to each prayer intention, realize that you are also connecting yourself to what Jesus is praying for. he is connected to your prayer too. The two of you are praying together. Ponder that! He’s praying for you and your situation right now.

Please pray for your students

As we prepare to participate in the liturgy, please pray for everyone who will take part. Pray for the softening of hearts, pray for the awakening of minds, pray for the radical re-orientation of lives to God.

The life-changing power of Christ proclaimed in the Scriptures and made present in the sacraments may never be discovered by our young people unless we intercede for them. They may attend mass, but your prayer change the atmosphere.

Prayer weakens and destroys the network of lies, fears and confusion that keep people away from God’s peace, clarity and redeeming love. Prayer tills the soil of the heart and prepares it to receive the seed of the Good News.

Point to ponder:

Jesus preceded everything he did with prayer. He prays eternally for us. His prayer is perfectly attuned to the heart of the Father and the needs of our young people. Out of his great love for our young people and for us, Jesus is inviting us to participate in his prayer for our young people. When we pray in his name, asking for what he would ask for, seeking what he desires most, he will surely act.

How to:

Tip# 1 Pray for what Jesus is already praying for

Instead of bringing a list of petitions to God, we pray for insight and understanding into what Jesus is already praying for. We want to prayerfully support whatever God is already doing. God is at work softening hearts, awakening minds and making change possible for those who need it. We're simply adding our "amen" to this powerful work.

Tip# 2 Fast for the conversion of our young people

It is too tempting to lose patience when we pray. Fasting expresses our willingness to wait for God's grace. Conversion and deep change is something God does. We can only cooperate with him. Our prayer are fuelled by hope in God's promises.