Prayer
Prayer sits at the heart of the life of an apprentice of Jesus. In prayer we draw near to God, learning to live with a growing awareness of God’s presence, guidance and love. Prayer is not simply about asking for things or saying the right words. It is about relationship, attentiveness and trust, as we open our lives to God and learn to see the world through the eyes of the Kingdom.
At St Matthias we understand prayer as a practice that forms us over time. As we pray, we slowly become people who are more attentive, more compassionate and more rooted in hope. Prayer shapes our hearts, deepens our dependence on God and helps us align our lives with the way of Jesus.
There are many different ways to pray. Some prayers are quiet and contemplative, creating space simply to rest in God’s presence. Others are expressive and communal, as we cry out together for the needs of our city and world. At times we pray with words drawn from Scripture or historic liturgies. At other times we pray with our own words, our silence, our questions or our longing.
Wherever you find yourself on the journey, prayer is an open invitation. Whether you are new to prayer, rediscovering it after a long time away, or looking to deepen rhythms you already have, we hope the resources below help you explore this practice and grow in a life of prayer.
Talks
During this series in 2024 we explored prayer from a number of different angles, from contemplative prayer and corporate prayer to wrestling with unanswered prayer. You can listen to the talks below.
Resources
A simple guide to contemplative prayer
Making Space for God (by Clark Buys) - link coming soon!
Books about prayer
Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools: An Invitation to the Wonder and Mystery of Prayer – Tyler Staton
A thoughtful and accessible exploration of prayer that draws on historic Christian traditions while inviting readers into a deeper, more relational life of prayer.
How to Pray: A Simple Guide for Normal People – Pete Greig
A practical and encouraging guide to prayer built around the Lord’s Prayer, helping people grow in confidence and depth in their conversations with God.
God on Mute: Engaging the Silence of Unanswered Prayer – Pete Greig
A pastoral and honest exploration of unanswered prayer, wrestling with disappointment, silence and hope while pointing toward trust in God’s faithfulness.
Dirty Glory: Go Where Your Best Prayers Take You – Pete Greig
Stories from the global 24-7 Prayer movement that explore how prayer can reshape lives, communities and cities.
Into the Silent Land: A Guide to the Christian Practice of Contemplation – Martin Laird
A gentle and accessible introduction to contemplative prayer, helping readers learn how to quiet the mind and rest in the presence of God.
See Love Be: Mindfulness and the Spiritual Life – Tim Stead
A reflective exploration of attentiveness and presence in the Christian life, offering practical ways to become more aware of God in everyday moments.
Books of prayer & liturgies
A Rhythm of Prayer – edited by Sarah Bessey
A collection of contemporary prayers and liturgies written for the complexities of modern life, offering language for lament, hope, justice and everyday faith.
The Lives We Actually Have: 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days – Kate Bowler & Jessica Richie
A beautiful collection of blessings written for real life, offering honest and hopeful prayers for ordinary days and difficult seasons.
Liturgies for Hope: Sixty Prayers for the Highs, the Lows, and Everything in Between – Audrey Elledge & Elizabeth Moore
A collection of reflective prayers designed to help readers bring every season of life before God with honesty and hope.
Rally: Communal Prayers for Lovers of Jesus and Justice – Brittany Winn Lee
A powerful collection of communal prayers that connect worship with justice, lament and hope for the renewal of the world.
Common Prayer (Pocket Edition): A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals – Shane Claiborne & Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove
A modern prayer book rooted in Scripture and the rhythms of the church calendar, designed to help individuals and communities pray throughout the year.
Every Moment Holy – Douglas Kaine McKelvey
A beloved collection of liturgies for the ordinary moments of life, helping people recognise God’s presence in everyday activities and experiences.
Courses
A suite of really useful and accessible courses designed to help people explore and deepen their prayer life.
Prayer practice course with Practising the Way
A guided introduction to developing rhythms of prayer as part of apprenticeship to Jesus.
Apps
A daily devotional app that helps you reflect, pray, and meditate on Scripture in a structured and accessible way. Ideal for developing a consistent rhythm of engaging with the Bible.
Lectio for Families by 24-7 Prayer
Lectio for Families is a free daily devotional that helps families to read the Bible and explore faith through conversation and prayer together.
A simple daily prayer app created by the Jesuits that combines Scripture, music and reflective questions. Designed to be used on the move, it helps you slow down, listen to the Bible and spend time in prayer wherever you are.