“Prayer cannot be a request made to a theistic deity to act in human history in a particular way.”

• special places and times to share our warmth
• our lives as an expression of our attempt to live closer to God
• our lives as a prayer – but it always seems to fall short
• anger is central to healthy relationships (also with God)
• every little bit of love helps
• public prayer compared with private prayer
• prayer is communication
• is prayer limited to talking? can drawing a picture, or watching the stars move be prayer?

“I listen to God and God listens to me.” – Mother TheresaTaking time = patienceTaking time to be thankful = “gifts” of time (waiting)(Resource link: Henri Nouwen, L’Arche Community)

“A person kneels before a duck to reflect upon the troubles and joys of life, and offers thanksgivings and expressions of hope. This search for the human spirit leads to love and a better world.”
(Resource link: When I talk to you: A cartoonist talks to God, by Michael Leunig)

Seeing our being as part of the human family

Activities that bring out our prayerfulness:

• dancing
• crochet
• running
• tramping
• gardening
• painting
• singing

relationship between me and the mystery / God beyond me

Experience of transcendence / Accessing the transcendent – living a prayer

Just because God wants to help someone, doesn’t mean that she can help them!

The presenters all seem “iffy” about prayer. It was good that they were honest about their doubts and fears. But it was also disappointing that they didn’t offer more motivation for prayer, or helpful tips!

Setting aside time is important.

Things that can help help:

• regular discipline of silence
• meditation
• reminding ourselves of something “more”
• treating everything we do as a prayer

Prayer experiences are gifts.

The atmosphere of a church can be conducive to prayer (because so many people have prayed there?)

Making love/making art – time has no significance

(Resource link: Prayers of Life by Michel Quoist)