Experiments (part 2)

21 Experiments in Prayer

In no particular order, but just as they occur to me…

  1. Sit still and breathe gently for a few minutes. Let your mind wander wherever it does, but if you get fed up with this come back to yourself.
  2. Stare out of a window for a few minutes.
  3. Watch the clouds.
  4. Think what is beyond the sky… and beyond that… and beyond even that…
  5. Look at someone you know for 2 minutes, as if you’ve never seen them before.
  6. Write a list of your 10 of favourite things, people, activities, places. Allow yourself to feel grateful for each.
  7. With this list, cross 5 out. Which will you choose to keep? How do you make this decision?
  8. Get out of bed a little earlier in the morning and go for a walk in the local streets or a park. What do you notice (outside and inside)?
  9. When you get up in the morning, do things – shower, shit, shave, dress, breakfast – in a different order.
  10. Think about yourself in relation to the Law of Conservation of Energy, i.e. this clot of energy in the universe that is you at this moment that can never be destroyed but only changes form.
  11. Spend a few minutes doing nothing but savouring your favourite drink. Use all of your senses.
  12. Write 750 words.
  13. Draw a mind map of everything that’s on your mind and/or in your heart.
  14. Set aside 30 minutes to do nothing else but read a favourite poem, listen to a favourite piece of music, or look at a favourite picture or building.
  15. As you go about your day, trying saying silently to each person who crosses your path:
    • “I love you.”
    • “I hate you.”
    • “I fear you.”
    • “I wish you well.”
  16. List everything you have to do. What is urgent? What is important? Do one of the important things.
  17. Write a list of things you fear doing. Choose an easy one and do that.
  18. Draw an image of who or what God is to you.
  19. Meditate for 2 minutes each day.
  20. If you commute or go shopping, leave early and walk slowly.
  21. Imagine lying on your deathbed. How do you wish you’d spent your life?

What experiments would you like to do?


When you perform a prayer experiment, notice how it affects you. For example:

  • What did you think?
  • How did you feel?
  • What was happening in this body?
  • What were you grateful for? What would you repeat?
  • What was difficult or uncomfortable? How would you handle this another time?
  • In what sense is God present in this experience?

Each of us is one of God’s experiments. The chemicals are God’s own being. Each experiment is different, and none of us is right or wrong.

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