Prayer Bench Resources
Welcome to the Everything page of Prayer Bench.
Here you will find Seasonal Retreats and Series, Small Group Studies, and resources for Spiritual Practice and Worship, gathered in one place.
These writings are rooted in the rhythms of the year, the wisdom of Scripture, the beauty of the natural world, and the quiet attentiveness of the contemplative path. They are shaped for individuals and small communities who long to pause, listen more deeply, and live with greater intention, so that this attentiveness may flow outward in acts of kindness, care, and justice in the world.
Over time, this collection will steadily grow as resources from the former Prayer Bench Shop are revised and shared, and as new material is written.
All that is shared here is offered as gift; if these resources serve you and you are able, your support helps hold this space for continued writing, prayer, and reflection.
Journeying deeper, the contemplative way.
Seasonal Retreats & Series
Living the In Between Way: A Celtic Retreat in the Spirit of St. Brigid
Here is a retreat for Feb 1-2 in the spirit of St. Bridget.
We are now halfway between the Winter and Spring solstice. In the Celtic Wheel of the Year it is Imbolc. We are still in our wintery mind (in the northern hemisphere) and yet, looking forward to spring.
The groundhog, predicting spring, stands in the tradition of this season. So does Candlemas celebrated on February 2, one of the oldest Christian festivals dating to the 4th Century and marking the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple forty days after Christmas.
“If Candlemas Day be fair and bright, Winter will have another flight,
But if it be dark with clouds and rain, Winter is gone, and will not come again..”
Brigid also celebrated in these days. She walks between two worlds. Her presence has roots as the ancient goddess of fire who heralds the beginning of spring and the increasing power of the sun as we lean toward spring. And St. Brigid is Christian saint, a symbol of faith, healing, new life and so much more. Her feast day is February 1.
In this retreat, we explore four elements drawn from the stories of her life and invite her through them to guide us in our own in-between days
Spiritual Practice & Worship
Photography as a Spiritual Practice
Play as Spiritual Practice: A Self Guide Retreat or Study
This self-directed resource is perfect for a personal retreat or a continuing education/study leave week.Is play the elemental and essential spiritual practice?
What practices of a playful heart can we bring to our whole life?
Visit Play as Spiritual Practice
https://prayerbench.ca/play-as-spiritual-practice
Prayer Bench Colouring Page
Spiritual Memoir Worship Services & Small Group Study
Four complete worship services exploring Spiritual Memoir. Each worship service in the series is designed to stand on its own. They may be used in a series or at four different times.
The worship services may be used with Storytellers: A Small Group Study.
Download
Worship #1 Honouring the Sacred in Our Lives – Surely God is in This
Worship #2 Listening To Our Lives – Hearts Strangely Warmed
Worship #3 Making Meaning – The Pattern of Our Lives
Worship #4 Living Fully -Treasuring These Things
Visit Storytellers on the Small Group Study page
https://prayerbench.ca/storytellers-small-group-study
Small Group Study
Navigating Mystery: Advent Small Group Study
In this three week Small Group Study we ponder a question posed by the writer, Martin Shaw, What if we re-framed ‘”living with uncertainty” into a practice of “navigating mystery?”
Here is the access information where you will find all you need for using this Advent resource:
Praying the News
News travels as it is happening.
How do we keep our hearts soft and open to the pain of the world?
What lens do need to truly hear the news?
Can our spiritual practices help support making the world a more loving place?
How might we pray the news as faith community?
Visit the Praying the News Study Page where you will find the Guides and all the resources you need to lead this series.
Storytellers Small Group Study & Four Worship Services
This engaging four-week Small Group Study invites participants to listen to a teaching on spiritual memoir and then show and share the story of whatever article they bring. Together, reflect on the sacred in our life.
Download four complete worship services to complement the Small Group Study.
Worship #1 Honouring the Sacred in Our Lives – Surely God is in This
Worship #2 Listening To Our Lives – Hearts Strangely Warmed
Worship #3 Making Meaning – The Pattern of Our Lives
Worship #4 Living Fully -Treasuring These Things
Visit Storytellers
https://prayerbench.ca/storytellers-small-group-study
The Isaiah Poems: Advent Small Group Study
The mystics say that the root longing of our soul is for God. The Isaiah poems are words for our souls and our reflection on them offers wisdom and guidance for our congregations or small groups. We prepare for the One who is always coming into the world.
There are four sessions based on the lectionary readings in the Advent Revised Common Lectionary.
Session 1: The 'Glorious Impossible' is Possible. Isaiah 2:1-5
Session 2: All You Have to Do is Look - Isaiah 11:1-10
Session 3: Preparing for the Ordinary - Isaiah 35:1-10
Session 4: Oh, A Sign - Isaiah 7:1-16
Visit: The Isaiah Poems Study: https://prayerbench.ca/advent-small-group-study-isaiah-poems
