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Prayer and Worship
A significant part of any youth gathering is the opportunity for prayer and worship. The building of community through other types of sharing and interaction can lead to very positive prayer experiences for youth. Participants pray and worship with peers who assist them in making the connection to their relationship with God. Prayer and worship in youth parish groupings isn’t necessarily more creative. It is often more powerful because the young people are more receptive.
Preparing for prayer and worship has both short-range and long-range aspects. For example, some prayer services which are part of the retreat “content” may need to be prepared well in advance. Other prayer or liturgical experiences might be prepared with participants during the a gathering itself. Such opportunities are very effective in building a sense of ownership for the prayer and a heightened sense of being the assembly that gathers to worship. Several articles and worksheets are included in this chapter to assist you in your preparations. The remainder of this section includes resources to assist you in preparing prayer and worship in youth gathering settings.
“Faith grows when it is well expressed in celebration. Good celebrations foster and nourish faith. Poor celebrations may weaken and destroy it.”
--Music in Catholic Worship, #6 -