Prayer Essay

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In this paper I will discuss the catechesis of adolescents, specifically, prayer. First I will describe one of the many problems that some catechists considered while catechizing adolescent, and at the end I try to illustrate how the "problem" may be seen as an opportunity for both the teens and the Church as a whole. Next, I will talk about the stages of prayer, with the appropriateness of these different stages of prayer to the particular needs of the teenager. I think teens need to learn to pray because the need is most urgent, and most critical, in the years of personal change that come in adolescence. I see that in adolescence, God is awakening in the young person adult human dimensions that need, for their incorporation into true life, effectual communion through prayer.

I have heard from some catechists that the catechesis of teenagers is sometimes a pointless exercise. Without doubt, it is difficult, and there are great challenges in passing on the Faith to our adolescents. I have seen that one of the challenges catechists face with youth is the crisis of many changes the adolescents go through at this age. I believe that this stage of life is a great opportunity for those who will teach them because it is in this stage when adolescents challenge what is presented to them. In this stage I also see that the adolescent is open to the real truth, and has freedom to receive it, which may never again become present.

I believe that in present times, teens especially are listening for authentic witnesses, whose lives match their words. Therefore, I can almost be assured that in these hard listening moments teens have a special freedom to remain with the Lord. Like the Good Samaritan (in Luke 10:30-35) who had nothing to lose by touching the ritually unclean and wounded man on the side of the road, teens can have a freedom to respond genuinely to the truth. The priest and the Levite had a personal investment and concern that kept them away from the imperatives of charity, and they passed the poor man by on the far side of the road. Like the priest and the Levite, adults who are well invested with their busy schedules can find good reasons for avoiding the radical ways of Christ. There is an openness to truth in adolescents that can truly help us too, if we can have the courage and openness to remain with them in the truth. For this reason, I think the catechesis of teenagers can then be a great opportunity for everyone because teenagers need the Gospel for their own survival in this world of increasing hostility to authentic human life, and they need the moderating guidance and stability of more mature believers. We adults need the confrontation and challenge, as well as their example of natural enthusiasm that is part of the package of catechizing teenagers. We all need one truth, and this is in our Lord Jesus Christ.

As a goal to reach this truth I believe we need to teach our teens to pray because my philosophy is that our prayer life reflects the relationship we have with God. I see adolescence is a fertile time to encourage and teach a deeper prayer life. In looking at some of my nephews and nieces I see that the average teenager probably knows little about prayer beyond verbal prayer. Consequently, we as catechists need to inform the teen catechumen that prayer is indeed communication with the eternal God, and in addition that it is a gauge that helps one to realize the depth of that communication. Our prayer reflects our relationship with God, just as ordinary communication reflects our relationships among people. Depth and intimacy are manifested in the communication and in the prayer.

In reading a book by Thomas Dubay, I see that prayer can be understood in levels, or stages of intimacy. The two major stages or types of prayer that seem to be discussed in Dubay s book are ascetical prayer and mystical prayer. Ascetical prayer is a prayer that we are capable of initiating and doing, with ordinary grace. Mystical prayer is prayer that we are not capable of initiating or doing with ordinary grace. Mystical prayer is a communication initiated by God, which we are especially graced to receive. In my readings, I understand for mystical prayer as something God does to us; it is His communication and work within us. Ascetical prayer is ordinarily our first experience of prayer, which may, with perseverance and the grace of God, lead into the deeper and more intimate relationships of mystical prayer.

One of the questions that comes up is how do we go about teaching the adolescents or others to pray? In looking at my own life I see that in my "elementary" stage, the first prayers I learned were vocal prayer, so I believe this is a foundational stage, and needs not to be neglected. By vocal prayer I mean any verbal prayer, written or spoken, formula or spontaneous. These types of prayers are the ordinary entrance into prayer and...

Aumann, Jordan, O.P., Spiritual Theology. Chicago: Christian Classics, 1980.
Dubay, Thomas, S.M., Fire Within. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1989.
Kavanaugh, Kieran, O.C.D., Rodriguez, Otilio, O.C.D. The Collected Works of St. John of the
Cross. Washington D.C.: ICS Publications, 1991. You should cite this paper as follows:

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