Week 06
As we practice the skill of praying simply using the practices of breath prayer and statio prayer, remember goal isn't for you to master contemplative prayer. Instead, you might just keep this outcome in mind as you spend time on this module: to be able to choose and practice my own breath prayer and to find and practice some moments in my daily life to pray a statio without words.
-
• This week, prepare a small breath prayer and try it at least once. This may be the prayer we introduced in the video, or it may be one you find connects to you personally—using a verse of Scripture, a phrase or a word.
• Also find at least one occasion to try a statio prayer at a moment of transition in my day—for example, after tying your shoes and before standing up to leave the house, or, after your last bite of dinner and before getting up to clear the table.
• Continue to bring either the breath prayer or statio prayer (or both) back into your week as seems good to you.
• This week, you might also choose to attend one of the Daily Office prayer times, found on this page. Notice how you experience these prayers, and note it in your journal.
-
Looking back on your week of practice:
• What did you end up choosing as your breath prayer? What can you notice about your experience “trying on” this practice?
• What was your experience “trying on” a statio prayer in the midst of your day’s activities? What kind of work might this do in your life—exterior work in the pacing of your day and interior work in you?
• What might you like to take forward from the practices you experimented with this week?
-