In-Home Religious Education JANUARY 2025

Theme: Prayers of Petition

Opening Prayer:

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

Catechesis:

Last month you learned about Intercessory Prayers, prayers where we intercede on the behalf of others and pray for them. This month we will focus on Prayers of Petition, prayers where we pray for ourselves. It is important to pray for ourselves. God wants us to pray for ourselves.  That is how we grow deeper in our relationship with God by bringing our needs to God.

What is a prayer of petition?

It is a prayer that involves praying to God and asking God to fulfill a need. Sometimes that need is for ourselves, and sometimes it’s for others, but it’s a direct request for something we truly desire God to deliver. A prayer of petition is simply asking for God's help. Jesus repeatedly encourages us to go to the Father and ask him earnestly for what we need. Our Heavenly Father loves us, and he hears our requests, so it is right and natural that we go to God for help. As Jesus asks in Matthew 7:9-11, “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

Sometimes prayers of petition are spontaneous expressions: “God help me!” we might cry out if we are struggling with an assignment or test at school. “Please Lord, please heal my child,” we might beg as a son or daughter lies injured or sick in a hospital bed. Other times, prayers of petitions are formal, carefully worded requests to the Father with specific requests — not simply “help me” or “have mercy on me” but rather, “Please let me have this exact thing that I desire,” whether that is a job, a healing miracle, or an answer to a decision we are trying to make.   

Prayers of petition are rooted in Scripture. The Psalms are filled with prayers of petition asking God to guide, asking God to have mercy, asking God to forgive his people Israel. In the Gospels, there are many examples of people asking Jesus, “Lord, have mercy on me!” Even Jesus prayed a prayer of petition to his Father when he was in the Garden of Gethsemane just before he was arrested, “Going a little farther, he fell facedown and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’” (Matthew 26:39). If Jesus prayed prayers of petition, then we must also do so too.

How does one pray a prayer of petition?

First, we must really think about what we need from God. Is what we need going to help us grow stronger in our faith? Is what we are asking going to help us rely on God more? Make sure your attitude is one of humility.

Secondly, call on the Holy Spirit to guide you in the asking God for whatever you need. Do you need patience? Do you need help with a relationship? Do you need help on a test or with a big game?

Third, pray in Jesus’ name? When we come to Jesus with our needs we can be sure that he will answer our prayer. Again, it may not be how WE want him to answer the prayer but he will answer it because he knows what is best for us and always wants the best for us which is why we end our prayer with “. . . but your will be done.”  We live our lives according to God’s will not our own because God always knows what is best for us.

Finally, don’t worry about using fancy words when praying. Bring yourself and your needs to Jesus in the best way you can. Sometimes all we can say is “Jesus, I am not sure how to ask you for help on this project, but I know you can help me. So, please help me through this task.”  Jesus wants us to be ourselves and bring him our needs. 

Don’t be afraid to ask God for what you need. Bring your fears, your ailments, your pains, and your worries to him. And know that God does indeed hear you and will answer you in the way he knows is best for you.

Video:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkVDQoWCNDc

Activity:

• On a piece of paper invite each family member to trace their hand.
• Cut out the handprint and write a petition on it. 
• Assemble the hands into a wreath or a garland and put it in a place where the whole family will be reminded to pray their petition every day. 
• Bonus: Take a picture of your hand petition garland and email it to Amy Bolle.

Closing Prayer: 

Questionnaire: