Charism of peace
Overview
This prayer is based on the charism of Peace . A charism is like a living gift. It is a way of living or doing, inspired by Jesus, which links us to God. As you pray with your staff, we hope that you will develop a clearer appreciation of how each charism can impact on your life and the lives of those around you.
In this prayer module, your charism is linked to an Aboriginal spirituality and to the prayer style of Contemplative Prayer.
Introduction to the Charism of Peace prayer
Gathering
Each of the prayers in this series of Charism Prayers starts with a brief ritual that serves to engage and focus everyone to the spirit of the prayer. As well as being a means of focusing your staff, it is also a way to add another level of meaning and understanding to the charism.
The ritual for this prayer is a bit different as the focus of the prayer is silence and contemplative reflection with a ‘silence’ as the emphasis for the welcome.
It omits the usual welcoming words and starts with the lighting of the candles. The quieter and more peaceful you can make this time the better. This prayer may be a perfect opportunity to consider taking your prayer gathering outside.
Reading and Reflection
The reading is John 14:27. The reflection material invites us to consider what it means to live with the peace of Jesus. Because the focus is on contemplation, this section will involve not reading out loud, but handing out the reading and reflection for people to read themselves, in silence.
Prayer
The prayer style is Contemplative Prayer. It involves spending time in quiet, reflective thought and prayer with God.
Surprises
Add to the experience of the prayer by continuing to bring your prayer’s charism to people’s attention during the week. Here are few ideas to get you started.
- Place a “Peace” flash card on each staff member’s desk/ pigeon hole.
- Post to their home address a flash card with “Peace” written on it.
- Hang a “Peace” sign in the staff car park.
- Write Peace messages, in chalk, around the school.
The structure and ideas we have included are just suggestions. Please feel free to modify or add to the wording to make the experience more personal and relevant for your staff. Adding your own touches will not only make the experience more enriching for you personally, but also for the rest of your staff.
Prayer handout
Print the prayer handout from pages 3 and 4 of the Charism of Peace leader guide
Prayer Leader notes
Using the notes:
Sections to be read by the leader are marked with Leader: at the beginning.
Texts in bold type are notes and guiding information for leaders and provide a guide for what to do or say.
Resources:
Setting up for Prayer
- Prepare a prayerful space suitable for your staff to gather around. Have ready…
- The ‘Head’, “Hands’ & ‘Hear t’ candles to light in the opening prayer.
- Your staff candles.
- The prayer intentions book.
- Have your handouts ready.
- Have the visual reflection by Miriam - Rose Ungunmerr Baumann ready to project from YouTube: https://youtu.be/tow2tR_ezL8
- Reflective music is playing quietly before people arrive.
Charism of Peace Prayer
We Gather
Leader: In silence start the reflective music. As you light each of the candles say:-
Our prayer journey this week invites us to walk with Jesus in peace.
God of Peace,
As we gather here in Your name,
Open our minds to know Your voice.
(Light ‘head’ candle)
Open our hands to do Your work.
(Light ‘hands’ candle)
And open our hearts to hold Your Spirit.
(Light ‘heart’ candle)
Amen
Leader: Focus on the image on your handout for a moment in the quiet. Be attentive to your breathing…slow it down a little as you settle.
We Listen
Leader:
The Indigenous People of Australia have a depth of spirituality that can enrich our nonindigenous spirits in so many ways.
Our reflection is by Miriam - Rose Ungunmerr Baumann an artist, a tribal elder and Principal of St Francis Xavier School, Daly River. It is titled Dadirri.
Access the beautiful visual reflection on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tow2tR_ezL8 (or see below)
We Respond
Individual Prayer
Leader:
The remainder of today’s prayer is an opportunity to experience prayer in the mold of Dadirri. I invite you, simply, to be present.
Clear your mind of other thoughts….. Settle into a feeling of peace. …. Be still and silent, and listen….
Look again at your handout and just be aware of the image on it and the candles in our prayer space.
Take some time to read the scripture and the reflection on the handout.
When a suitable time has passed, draw your staff back together to pray the closing prayer.
We Go Forth
Leader:
As we pause now before our prayer time ends, we stop to light our staff/school candle. (Light the staff/school candle)
We pause in silence to pray for the intentions we have added to our staff intentions book….. (place it into the prayer space)
and those who are already on its pages.
We add to these the prayers that are known only in our hearts….
(Allow for silent prayer)
Closing Prayer
Leader: Let us pray together…
As we go about our day O God,
As we strive to walk with Jesus.
Remind us that we are the face of Christ,
Who is with us always.
May your grace, mercy and peace,
Bless us, keep us and transform us all,
This day, now and forever.
All: Amen