Companions in Christ: The Way of Prayer, Participant's Guide

The Way of Prayer expands on our knowledge of prayer through a ten-week exploration of different forms of prayer practices. Through this exploration, small-group members embark on a journey of genuine discovery—the discovery of different dimensions of God’s grace and love. Prayer is explored through music, dance, gazing, silence, or acts of service. The Way of Prayer teaches us how to respond to God’s invitation into the divine Presence, and it brings a deeper sense of spiritual vitality and encouragement to seek out new ways to pray. Following a prepatory meeting, the weekly explorations include:

How do you Pray?

Images of God?

Praying by Heart

Praying with Music

Praying by Gazing

Praying with Our Bodies

Scriptural Prayer

Contemplative Prayer

Praying with and for Others

Prayer and Social Transformation

QUOTE: All prayer begins with God. The Creator does not wait passively for us to come with our prayers; rather, our prayers are a response to God’s call to us. God was with us in infancy calling forth our response to divine love. (p.13)

AUTHOR BIO: Reverend Jane E. Vennard is a spiritual director, retreat and workshop leader, and lecturer. She was ordained in the United Church of Christ and currently serves as an adjunct faculty member at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, where she teaches courses on prayer and spirituality.