Guided Prayer

A Week of Guided Prayer is a retreat in the midst of daily life. Participants focus attention on God's activity in their lives through praying scripture. The week is based on our trust that God is interested in communicating with us through prayer. Rather than drawing apart from our normal agenda, a Week of Guided Prayer helps us to centre on God in the midst of our regular activities.

How do you 'Pray Scripture'?

Praying scripture involves reading a passage until it becomes familiar and then, in a spirit of openness to God, letting our imagination engage the words or story. Using all five senses we experience the scripture and listen for God’s direction for our lives through the passage.

What Happens During the Week?

An opening two-hour session, usually held on a Sunday afternoon, provides an opportunity for fellowship between Retreatants, those attending the retreat, and those who will companion them through the week. It introduces the theme and an experience of praying scripture with journalling. The Retreatant is given the daily scripture material for prayer based upon the theme which unfolds during the week. Together the Retreatant and Companion establish a schedule of daily meetings of one-half hour in length. 

Monday to Friday the Retreatants covenant to pray 30 minutes privately each day, and to meet with the Companion 30 minutes daily to share in prayer experience. 

The Companion supports the Retreatant, seeking to keep them attentive to God's leading, and prompting the Retreatant through questions, suggestions and shared experience to become aware of where the Spirit may be leading them..

The closing two-hour session, usually held on the Saturday morning, is a celebration of how and where God has touched us through the week. It offers time for silent reflection, large and small group sharing, and an evaluation of the week. Opportunities for ongoing prayer support are reviewed. Through communion Retreatants are commissioned to continue their journey. 

The Labyrinth 

Having Calvary's labyrinth available offers participants a another meaningful prayer experience.

For many years volunteers have taken the Labyrinth to the Grand Valley Institute for Women about four times a year. Many women there have found following its twisting path very meaningful on their spiritual journeys.

The labyrinth is available to anyone who would like to follow its path during the Week of Guided Prayer. New paragraph