Exploring Your Prayer Life
Exploring Your Prayer Life is a video series presented by Sarah McGinnis. In this video series, Sarah shares various ways to pray that you may or may not have tried before. This video series walks you through an introduction to prayer and three different prayer types. It is designed to be viewed one video per week. After each video there are discussion/reflection questions and a resource or two to help enrich your prayer experience.
Exploring Your Prayer Life - Part 1 (Introduction)
Discussion/Reflection Questions
- What is your definition of prayer?
- When do you pray - morning, afternoon, evening?
- Where do you pray - at home, in the car, anywhere and everywhere?
- How do you pray - through journaling, speaking aloud in your head?
- What draws you into the presence of God - nature, children, music?
Resources
Exploring Your Prayer Life - Part 2 (Lectio Divina)
Discussion/Reflection Questions
- How did it feel to pray in this way?
- Which step was the most comfortable for you? The most difficult?
- How is this approach to scripture different for you then Bible Study?
- Could you see yourself integrating Lectio Divina into your daily rhythm? Why or why not?
Resources
Lectio Divina: Renewing the Ancient Practice of Praying the Scriptures by W. Basil Pennington - Pray As You Go - Podcast
Exploring Your Prayer Life - Part 3 (Ignatian Examen)
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Discussion/Reflection Questions
- What is your initial reaction to your experience with an Ignatian Examen?
- What did you enjoy about it?
- What did you dislike?
- How did this prayer experience differ from other prayer experiences?
- How do you see this being a valuable tool in your life or the life of your church or small groups?
Resources
The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius by St. Ignatius of Loyola
Re-Imagining the Examen - App
Exploring Your Prayer Life - Part 4 (Centering Prayer)
Discussion/Reflection Questions
- What is your initial reaction to your experience of Centering Prayer?
- What did you enjoy about it?
- Did you find yourself frustrated at times? If so, what was the source of your frustration?
- What was it like to experience silence in this way?
- Could you see yourself integrating Centering Prayer into your daily rhythm? Why or why not?
Resources
Open mind, Open Heart by Thomas Keating
Centering Prayer - App by Contemplative Outreach
If you have any questions about any of these prayer techniques or would like to share your experiences, please contact Sarah McGinnis at sarahmcginnis11@gmail.com.