Pray as you go
By Rev. Ann Perrin, Growing in Faith Advocate
During this time of COVID I have made use of different spiritual practices that have enabled me to “keep going”. As we have travelled in new ways with restriction and loss of activities what helps us relax and navigate the demands of ministry? For me walking, reading and Pilates have been welcome respite and important for self-care.
However, what has been foundational to spiritual wellbeing through these last months is a Jesuit podcast called Pray As You Go. This is a daily prayer session as close as my mobile phone. There are six podcasts each week, one for each weekday and one for the weekend. They last for 10-15 minutes and consist of a bell announcing the session is to start and music that is wide ranging, from Kings College Cambridge to Salt of the Sound, a contemporary Swedish Christian duo. One will also hear The Kyiv Chamber Choir, The Monks of Keur Moussa Abbey in Senegal, The University Choir of Johannesburg, Margaret Rizza and The Porter's Gate. Then one will hear a passage of scripture read twice during the session and reflective questions. It is not a thought for the day or a bible study but a time under the disciple of Ignatian spirituality. Their aim is to help you to:
- become more aware of God's presence in your life
- listen to and reflect on God's word
- grow in your relationship with God
There is also the offer of other retreats and series. For example, reflections for maintaining mental health, a series for those in isolation and Lenten and Advent disciplines.
What keeps me coming back is that it keeps to the same format with different content. It does not follow the Lectionary readings but often the weeks are themed, and the Roman Catholic Saints Days are always celebrated. I have been using this resource on and off over the last 10 years but have leaned heavily on it over the last several months. As soon as the opening bells sound, whether a peal or a single Tibetan singing bowl, my body now is programmed to relax without thought.
During this time of COVID I have made use of different spiritual practices that have enabled me to “keep going”. As we have travelled in new ways with restriction and loss of activities what helps us relax and navigate the demands of ministry? For me walking, reading and Pilates have been welcome respite and important for self-care.
However, what has been foundational to spiritual wellbeing through these last months is a Jesuit podcast called Pray As You Go. This is a daily prayer session as close as my mobile phone. There are six podcasts each week, one for each weekday and one for the weekend. They last for 10-15 minutes and consist of a bell announcing the session is to start and music that is wide ranging, from Kings College Cambridge to Salt of the Sound, a contemporary Swedish Christian duo. One will also hear The Kyiv Chamber Choir, The Monks of Keur Moussa Abbey in Senegal, The University Choir of Johannesburg, Margaret Rizza and The Porter's Gate. Then one will hear a passage of scripture read twice during the session and reflective questions. It is not a thought for the day or a bible study but a time under the disciple of Ignatian spirituality. Their aim is to help you to:
- become more aware of God's presence in your life
- listen to and reflect on God's word
- grow in your relationship with God
There is also the offer of other retreats and series. For example, reflections for maintaining mental health, a series for those in isolation and Lenten and Advent disciplines.
What keeps me coming back is that it keeps to the same format with different content. It does not follow the Lectionary readings but often the weeks are themed, and the Roman Catholic Saints Days are always celebrated. I have been using this resource on and off over the last 10 years but have leaned heavily on it over the last several months. As soon as the opening bells sound, whether a peal or a single Tibetan singing bowl, my body now is programmed to relax without thought.
Rev. Ann Perrin is the Advocate of the Growing in Faith Circle. She is currently Team Leader for the Hawkesbury Mission Zone in the Parramatta Nepean Presbytery of the NSW/ACT Synod, and previous to this was Minister at Clarence Uniting Church in Hobart and served as Chairperson of the Presbytery of Tasmania. Ann has served the Church in many roles including as a Member of the Doctrine Working Group since 2010. Ann has also been a Lecturer in Double Bass (Part Time) at Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and has contributed articles to a number of publications and conference papers.