Hey parents, families, anybody who knows little people! Many of you know we’re exploring how to pray with Ignatian Contemplation during this series in Lent. So far, my guided contemplations here have been more directed toward adults. So I thought for this final week I’d try to offer a guide that could be used with kids or by kids. (Or by kids at heart.)

So… Hi kids at St. Raphael! Do you like to use your imagination? I do! So did Saint Ignatius of Loyola. He taught us a way to pray with Bible stories using our imagination! You can imagine what it would be like for you to be IN the Bible stories, right there with Jesus and others. What a cool way to pray, right?

Here’s a way YOU can try it:

1. First, imagine Jesus sitting right in front of you. Imagine him looking at you with lots of love and a big smile on his face. He IS with you and he DOES love you very much. And he likes spending time with you!
2. Now, say a prayer like this: “Jesus, thank you for being with me. Help me open my heart to you in this prayer time.”
3. Next, take out your Bible and read the story you want to pray with or have someone read it to you.
4. Now, imagine the place where the story happened: What does it look like? What does it sound like? What does it smell and feel like? Imagine the people in the story: what do they look like? What kind of clothes are they wearing? Now say this prayer: “God, help me to know you, and love you, and serve you more.”
5. Now imagine you are THERE in the story! Listen to what the people are saying to each other. See what they’re doing. Can you imagine what they might be saying to YOU? What do you want to say to them?
6. Now, remember Jesus is with you right where you are, smiling at you. What do you want to say to Jesus? Be really quiet for a little while and see if Jesus is saying something to you in your heart. If he is, what is he saying to you? He might just be quiet with you as he smiles at you, and that’s good too.
7. To finish the prayer, pray an Our Father or any other prayer that you like.

Have fun praying like St. Ignatius,
Fr. Phil Hurley, S.J.,
Pastor