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A Heart-centred Approach
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| One way of praying that we want to share with
you is the heart-centred approach that we use for our group prayer in
Hand in Hand. Originally based on the SPRED approach for people with
learning disabilities, we have developed this heart-centred approach and
discovered how it is valid for everyone. We aim, when praying as a
group, to touch people with our faith, so we can all grow in our
awareness and experience of God. If we think of anything which has made
a difference to our lives it will almost certainly be something which
has touched us deeply.
So with this overall aim in mind, when we prepare a time of prayer with
a group, we need to think what kind of experience of God we want people to
have, which aspect of God’s love we want to reflect, what words he
speaks to us today and what message we want people to take away. It is
helpful to choose one simple, clear theme with few words, and to
use repetition, gesture and body language to reinforce communication.
Moving at a gentle, unhurried pace, with periods of silence or
quiet music, allows time to assimilate, reflect and respond.
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It is important to provide an atmosphere which helps people, to absorb God’s
love and message intuitively and unconsciously through their
environment. We can create a special prayer corner, reminding
us of the beauty of God, with a bible or particular picture, and including
candles, flowers, music or incense, which can be experienced with all the
senses. This helps to heighten how special and important this gathering is.
It is important to provide an atmosphere which helps people, to absorb God’s
love and message intuitively and unconsciously through their
environment.
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We begin by welcoming everyone by name (if poss.) to our special
place. In this way we show the value and dignity of each person present, which
reflects our respect and love for one another and God’s special love for us
all.
We start where people are and provide an experience, using
senses and symbol where appropriate, which relates to their everyday lives and
links in with the chosen theme of the prayer time.
We link this human experience to the sacred, using few words and
gentle repetition or symbols, which are of particular value, since they are
concrete and visible, yet point to invisible realities.
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If we use symbol, there is no need to explain. Symbols are more
powerful without words. If we light a candle and say ‘Jesus is the light of
the world’ we can show this by our attitude. We can try to be what we want
to convey. If we pray totally and sincerely others will sense our own
reverence, wonder and delight.
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| We link the theme to a short Scripture passage. Here we meet Jesus
in the written word.
We show our reverence by the way we hold the Bible. We can offer it to
everyone, who place their hands on it to show their willingness to listen. |
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read it thoughtfully, slowly, with dignity, as though God had asked us to give
this message to his people. Then we read it again to allow the words to resonate
deep within.
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The message which comes from the reading is then given personally to each
individual. Using eye contact, names and holding hands (if comfortable), we
emphasise God’s message for each person e.g. John, Jesus says to you today ‘You
are my friend.’
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We need to allow time for a response, for people to absorb the
mystery and let Jesus speak deep in their hearts. Silence or quiet music can be
used throughout but is particularly helpful here. We can let people pray
individually aloud or in silence. Passing the candle round may help and then
finishing with the Lord’s Prayer and/or a hymn.
Our prayer time also provides an experience of community, building
friendships within the group which show our real interest and acceptance and
enjoying time together. We show our reverence and care by our attitude, such as
when washing one another’s feet, which gives an experience of God’s love and
strengthens our relationship with Jesus.
Elements of Time of Prayer
- Welcome
- Human experience
- Faith dimension
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 | linking sacred to human experience |
| reading of the Word of God |
| the message |
| the response |
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