Full course description
Partner dioceses receive discounted courses. This link provides a list of partner dioceses and discount codes to use when registering.
Description
On Prayer, created by Dr. Lawrence Cunningham, a Notre Dame Theology Professor, will give participants a basic understanding of the place of prayer in the Catholic tradition. The course does not provide a manual or handbook on how to pray, but rather "Prayer in the Christian Life" as a springboard for an exploration of prayer in the Christian tradition by reflecting on questions such as: "What is the nature of prayer? What is Christian prayer? What do we learn about prayer from Jesus?"
Through readings from Scripture and liturgical texts, how we learn to pray will be explored by considering the personal and communal nature of our prayer, use of Psalms, and Lectio Divina. Later units of the course will challenge us to consider what it means to see ourselves as persons of prayer; and what is the relationship between prayer and action, prayer and social justice? Finally, the course will explore the relation of prayer and theology--how does the practice of prayer help us to become people of faith who wish to come to a deeper, more reflective understanding of that faith which we profess?
Course Content
Unit 1: Christian Prayer, Jesus' Example
Unit 2: Learning to Pray
Unit 3: Prayer in the Scriptures
Unit 4: Prayer and Action
Unit 5: Christian Prayer
Course Format
- Six weeks in duration; first week for orientation.
- Up to 20 students in each course.
- Video lectures with text transcripts available.
- Supplemental readings are provided to encourage further exploration, internet links provided for all readings.
- Written assignments (200-250) required.
- Facilitator-moderated weekly Zoom sessions with participants.
Participation Requirements
- View or read the lecture for each unit.
- Read assigned texts; keep notes, questions, and comments for class discussions.
- Answer weekly discussion question.
- Respond to weekly unit assignment.
- Attend weekly Zoom for each unit. If you cannot attend, you can still meet the participation requirements.
- Complete the course evaluation.
Time Expectations
3 to 5 hours per week, depending on your learning style and schedule.