The power of prayer

"The spirit (ie: devotional mood or attitude) in which prayers are offered can profoundly affect the context, for, and practice of prayer. Similarly the actual practice of praying also can deeply alter the meaning of prayers. Spontaneous prayers in the ancient church, and modern religious communities for that matter, have at times been prized above other carefully crafted written prayers of ancient origin because they are seen to possess a more heartfelt and genuine character (Hammerling, A History of Prayer: The First to the Fifteenth Century, 2008, p. 9)."

Prayer to me is very personal and I often find myself just talking to God regularly in the most informal way. My most practiced prayers are on walk outdoors in nature - this is where I feel closest to the Divine - amongst His creation. I would like to practice this kind of prayer with my students.

With concerns of climate change and the possibility of natural calamity at our midst, being present in nature is a powerful way to connect with God. Whether it's a walk through grass, or jumping in leaves - any nature in an urban landscape is effective. From a mindfulness level, it brings calm, clarity, and creativity, which students can bring back to the classroom. On a spiritual level, it envelops us in the elements that are in the very threads of our faith: the waters of Baptism, the grapes and wheat which is in the Eucharist, and fire as the spirit of Confirmation. Though the spirit of God is all around us, He speaks volumes in nature.