the sensation of life
But when he came to himself he said, “How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no … Continue reading But when he came to himself
What do you long for? What are your deepest wishes? Spirituality is how you live out your deepest longing, day by day, year by year, in and through all the ups and downs of life. Prayer begins with desire … Continue reading
I use the Insight Timer app every day to support my own prayer practice and discipline. I highly recommend it. I have begun putting my own guided prayers on this platform to add a contemplative Christian presence. I'm chuffed to bits to learn that my Prayer for sleep is being featured on Insight Timer today. … Continue reading Audio prayer featured on Insight Timer
This time of plague is a desolation for many: loss of work, loss of income, loss of health, loss of life; traumatic, dangerous front-line work; and decimated support services. Those of us not so endangered still suffer desolation. There is overwhelming uncertainty: where will we be next year, or next week!? How are we to live now? What is God’s call now? … Continue reading
Here is an extended version of last week's Review of the day. When I used it for my own prayer again, I felt rushed. This 'long' version is identical to the 'longer' version but I have inserted some extra time for reflection and journaling between the questions. I hope it is helpful. Examen (long) Examen … Continue reading Audio Prayer: Review of the day++
I have been asked to record an Examen. Here are two! They are the same shape, with one shorter for when you are tired or don’t have much time. You may wish to try the longer one first. Examen (Short) Examen (short)Download Examen (longer) Examen (longer)Download Some lucky people seem to know exactly what they … Continue reading Audio Prayer: Review of the day
…there is still somewhere deep within you a beast shouting that the earth is exactly what it wanted… Mary Oliver, Morning Poem ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.’Luke 19.40 For beauty is nothing but the beginning of terror…Rainer Maria Rilke, First Duino Elegy (tr. Stephen Mitchell) Prayer often begins … Continue reading … and joy
There ain't no good thing ever dies I'm gonna take it with me when I go Tom Waits: Take It With Me I have often talked about 'repetition', as Ignatius of Loyola calls it, in these writings, e.g. "Where to start?", "The Kingdom of Heaven", and "Repetition". He invites us to revisit significant moments, "noting … Continue reading Audio Prayer: Revisiting a God moment
Christ is risen. Alleluia. This is my third offering of recorded prayer. It is a version from the post, “The only 3 prayers you need,” in which I suggested that presence, gratitude, and kindness comprise the three important prayers. This audio file is longer than the others. Here it is one complete recording. Presence - … Continue reading Audio Prayer: Presence, Gratitude, and Kindness
Here is my second offering of a recorded prayer. As I said in my last post, when I wake in the night, I wish there were some guided prayers I could listen to, to settle me, to connect me with God, to remind me that all is well and I am safe. This is a … Continue reading Audio Prayer for sleep