There are many different ways to talk to and listen to God; alone or in a group, silent or with words, extempore or with pre-written prayers. Some pray most easily and deeply when walking in nature, others in a quiet church, some find it helps to journal their conversation with God, others paint or draw to express themselves to God. Our prayer life changes in different phases of our lives. Try different forms of prayer, find what works for you, keep on trying again, and learn to pray as you can, not as you can't. 

I accepted the role as the Canon for Spiritual Development not because I am a Prayer warrior who finds faith easy and has a constant sense of God's presence, but as someone who catches glimpses of the divine, but sometimes struggles with the daily disciplines of spiritual life. I am aware of many resources to support the deepening of our prayer lives because I need them for myself. 

Recently I thought I had found a video with all the answers. It's entitled "Deepening Prayer: How do I begin again when prayer feels impossible?" (here). Episcopal Priest Fr Martin L Smith unpacks how to pray in difficult times. In 45 minutes he looks at the question from different directions. His conclusion is simply "Try Again", relax and let the Holy Spirit lead you. When you find prayer a struggle, try a different way of praying, and when you feel like giving up, turn back to your loving heavenly Father and gently try again.  

Praying Lent is an opportunity to learn together and to try different forms of prayer, some of which may be new to you. Each week we will meet online, hear a presentation of a form of prayer, have time to practice this individually and then meet back to share our experiences, closing with compline. You are welcome to come to as few or as many of the sessions as you wish, there is no need to book. We begin on 21st Feb, where I will introduce the course and Vania Kent will teach us about centring prayer. 

See you on zoom 

Ali 

Praying Lent 

5 Wednesdays in Lent, 21, 28 Feb, 6, 13, 20 March 2024 

Online 19.30- 21.00 CET

Zoom link

21st Feb: Introduction by Ali Gray & Centering Prayer (led by Vania Kent)

28th Feb: Praying with Nature (led by Paola Canu)

6th March: Praying with Art (led by Eli Harlan)

13th March: The Examen (led by Mark Barwick)

20th March: Lectio Divina (led by Ali Gray)