Divine

Conversations
Taiz Prayer
Background
Taiz began, as a form of prayer, in the little village of Taiz in northern France during the Second World War.
More precisely this prayer came from the ecumenical community of Brothers founded by Br Roger Louis
Schutz-Marsauche; it has been growing in popularity and spreading around the world ever since. Taiz is a
fairly simple and straight forward meditative form of prayer.
Through the use of repetitive phrases, music, silence, scripture, set and intercessory prayers, participants are
invited to stillness and to listen for and to the voice of God. One of the rules of Taiz as stated by Br Roger
is to keep inner silence always, and you will dwell in Christ for it is through inner silence that makes possible our
conversation with God. (Br Roger of Taiz)
Taiz prayer is usually conducted in a church, chapel or a room and commences in darkness. As the prayer
session proceeds candles or lamps are lit. Candles are usually given to all present as a symbol of the presence
of the risen Lord. Christ is the centre of Taize reflection and the light signifies that Jesus Christ has conquered
the darkness of death and sin. It is through Christs sacrifice that an offer of new life is given. There is hope for
humankind; there exists the real possibility for change, and there is a life we never dared hope for. (Br Roger of Taiz)

Structure of Taiz
A Taiz style prayer generally follows the structure outlined below:
1. Song
Begin by listening to one or two songs of praise.
2. Psalm Reading
One or two people (the leader and one other) read alternate verses of a Psalm. After each verse the
participants respond with an Alleluia or similar.
3. Silence
Allow some time for the participants to reflect on or pray the Psalm verses.
4. Scripture Reading
The leader reads a section of scripture from the Gospels. Use the official reading of the day from the
Church which can be found from a number of different sources including the Ordo.
5. Song
Use any song that has short repetitive verses. Taiz music is available on CD for this purpose and are
available from church suppliers (see list at the end of this session).
6. S
 ilence
Allow some time to reflect on or pray the scripture verse and song words.
7. Intercessions
The participants take turns in reading the prepared intercessory prayers (choose the participant/s for this
before hand). After each prayer is said out loud a response should be said or sung such as, Lord have
mercy, or Praise to you, Lord. Once the intercessory prayers are complete, if there is time, allow the
participants to express any spontaneous prayers that may have come to them during the Taiz session.
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8. Our Father
The standard Catholic prayer could be used here, however it would also be appropriate to pray the
ecumenical Our Father.
9. Concluding Prayer
This prayer could be prepared by the leader or prayed spontaneously by members of the group.
10. Song/s
Use any song that has short repetitive verses. You can use any Taiz song on the many Taiz CDs available.
Allow time for this part of the session to go as long as the participants wish. Participants may continue to
sing whilst another group may continue to pray.

Leaders Preparation
It is important for someone to prepare the space for prayer. Create a prayer focus or simple sacred space by
using some cloth, a large candle, incense and numerous tealights around the prayer space (see list of required
materials below). It is possible to enter fully into this experience without singing.

Materials Required
Cloth in the colour of the liturgical season if you wish
Large candle, numerous tealights
Taiz music CD (see list at end of this section)
CD player
C
ross or crucifix (if you wish make the cross large enough to lie down so candles may be placed on it
this is not essential)
Bible
Icons if you wish

Centring Exercise
Close your eyes and begin to focus on your breathing
Begin to take slow deep breaths
With every breath say come spirit of God
Become aware of Gods presence in you God is truly present
When you are ready, open your eyes and return to being present with the group. God is here now

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Conversations
Sample Taiz Prayer
Song
O Lord Hear My Prayer Jacques Berthier
Psalm
24:1 -6
Reader The earth is the Lords and all that is in it, the world, and those who live it; for he has founded it on
the seas, and established it on the rivers.
Response Alleluia
Reader Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? Those who
have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift their souls to what is false, and do not swear
deceitfully.
Response Alleluia
Reader They will receive blessings from the Lord, and vindication from the God of their salvation.
Response Alleluia
Reader

Such is the company of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.

Response Alleluia
Silence (you may wish to have some meditative music playing in the background at this stage) see list of
Taiz CDs
Allow five minutes for silent prayer.
Scripture Reading
Luke 5:1-11
Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear
the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were
washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little
way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking,
he said to Simon, Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for the catch. Simon answered, Master,
we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets. When they
had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signaled their partners
in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But
when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus knees, saying, Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!
For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken, and so also were James
and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, Do not be afraid; from
now on you will be catching people. When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and
followed him.
Song
Just to be in Your Presence Emmanuel Worship
Silence
Allow five minutes for silent prayer.

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Intercessions
Leader: Jesus entrusted the Father with his needs and concerns. Let us now call upon the Father with
confidence...
Note to Leader: This is a time for individuals in the group to pray for intentions that they might have for their
family, the Church, the local community, the country or the world (this would be a good time to
use the prayer focus topics of MY Story, OUR Story, THE Story). During each prayer participants
are encouraged to light a tealight candle and place it in the prayer space as a sign that our
prayers are being received by God. At the conclusion of each prayer, say, We pray to the Lord to
which everyone will respond, Lord, hear our prayer.
Our Father (Ecumenical)
Leader: Let us now join together in Christs prayer to the Father...
All: Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be your name,

Your kingdom come,

Your will be done,

On earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins
As we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial

And deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

The power and the glory

Forever and ever.

Amen
Concluding Prayer
Leader: Let us Pray
All: Loving God,
everything we have comes from you:
all peoples, all creation is yours.
Help us to shape our lives
according to your will
and lead us to use
all that we have at our disposal
for your glory.
We make this prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Song
St Teresas Prayer John Michael Talbot

Note to youth leaders

Taiz prayer is suitable for use with an ecumenical group.
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