Christian Prayer Methods

Reviews the meaning of prayer to Jesus, Paul and the early Christians. The relational, dialogical character of Christian prayer is emphasized, and this will characterize the methods that will be taught in later presentations.

This lecture situates prayer in the larger context of the Christian life. Participants are invited to examine the priority they give to prayer, study, community and service, and to set at least two goals in areas they would like to grow in.

Personal prayer entails the ingredients of time, silence, solitude and openness to God. Participants are invited to examine how each of these areas, and to set goals to put them into practice.

The Lectio Divina process is an ancient method for praying with scripture. Students who follow the guidance of this lecture will know how to put the steps of Lectio Divina into practice in their lives.

Reviews three contemplative prayer methods: Christian Meditation, Centering Prayer, and Breathing Prayer. Students will receive instructions and a detailed resource handout on how to put each method into practice.

Distractions are a common problem. This presentation reviews five practical ways to deal with distractions that participants will be able to immediately practice.

Attentive prayer differs from reflective and contemplative methods in that we simply attend to the words we're praying in worship and reading as though they were our own. Participants will know how to pray attentively in worship service, psalm reading and rote prayers.

"Visio Divina" means "sacred seeing" or "divine seeing." This lecture provides practical instruction on the ancient method of praying with icons and religious art. Participants will know how to use this method as one approach to God in prayer.

Once you know how to work the methods taught in this course, you can begin to combine them (or parts of them) in your prayer. Participants will review possibilities for doing so, and will identify helps for growing in prayer.