WHAT IS DIGITAL PRAYER?
"Young children often give a very simple definition for prayer, namely that it is 'talking to God'. While there is some truth in this definition it does not portray the complete picture. Prayer is a relationship between ourselves and God and, as a result, it is not all our own work" (Nolen Beth. 2008. Prayer Strategies - A Teacher's Manuel, pg 7)
Nolen (2008) also explores how we might consider Christian prayer. She writes:
Nolen (2008) also explores how we might consider Christian prayer. She writes:
" Christian prayer encompasses God as the source and inspiration of all prayer
Requires an openness to a relationship to God
Involves being aware of the presence of God in everyday life
Develops through our faith and our experience of God
Is at the heart of the Christian tradition
Guides and forms our beliefs about God
Is revealed through the Scriptures
Is an essential component of Christian spirituality"
(pg 7).
Further to this, Nolen suggests that,"Prayer is a key element in not just the religious education program but the whole life of a Catholic school." (Pg 8)
Requires an openness to a relationship to God
Involves being aware of the presence of God in everyday life
Develops through our faith and our experience of God
Is at the heart of the Christian tradition
Guides and forms our beliefs about God
Is revealed through the Scriptures
Is an essential component of Christian spirituality"
(pg 7).
Further to this, Nolen suggests that,"Prayer is a key element in not just the religious education program but the whole life of a Catholic school." (Pg 8)
Our 'Digital Prayer’ website has been designed to provide teachers with technology based resources to support their planning for times of prayer in the Catholic school as well as for learning about prayer through the curriculum. Our students live in a technological rich media culture, and as teachers, we need to utilise interactive, engaging and empowering resources in order to cater for today's digital learners. A wide range of resources have been provided on this site in order to support teachers with their own prayer life as well as that of their students. This initiative is consistent with the notion that "...at the heart of the work of the Catholic school is the invitation for students to engage in a new conversation between the world they know and the faith to which they are called." (CESA, Crossways, pg 4)
We encourage teachers and students to collaborate in their exploration of our Catholic Tradition's rich tapestry of prayer styles, and invite the integration of new technologies and prayer where appropriate. It is our hope that staff and students are open to learning new prayer techniques so that they can continue to add to their 'kit bag' of prayer styles. Together, both teachers and students can become familiar with the use of new technologies and how they might be of assistance in exploring different ways to pray, and ultimately recognizing more intimately God's presence in their lives. We would hope then, that they may also incorporate new methods on a regular basis to support their own prayer life, their families and that of their school community.
We encourage teachers and students to collaborate in their exploration of our Catholic Tradition's rich tapestry of prayer styles, and invite the integration of new technologies and prayer where appropriate. It is our hope that staff and students are open to learning new prayer techniques so that they can continue to add to their 'kit bag' of prayer styles. Together, both teachers and students can become familiar with the use of new technologies and how they might be of assistance in exploring different ways to pray, and ultimately recognizing more intimately God's presence in their lives. We would hope then, that they may also incorporate new methods on a regular basis to support their own prayer life, their families and that of their school community.