The Way of Prayer: Participants Book (Companions in Christ)

It's said that prayer is so primal an urge for humankind that we're born into the world praying. Yet, something so natural and seemingly so easy comes hard sometimes. The Way of Prayer is a 10-week small-group study about the nature, practice, and results of prayer. Some forms of prayer arise in our lives spontaneously, some are learned by rote, and others are stumbled upon as we move through life.

"All prayer, formal or informal, is about our relationship with God," the authors write. "Somewhere deep inside us resides the experience of being so deeply connected to God that we long to express the wonder of that relationship. We pray because we can -- and must." Honor the ways you were taught to pray while expanding your understanding to include new ways to pray. Topics covered include:

Stephen D. Bryant was the world editor and publisher of Upper Room Ministries from 1997 to 2009 and is currently directing international ministry initiatives for the General Board of Discipleship. Before his election as world editor and publisher, Bryant served as director of spiritual formation for The Upper Room and as the international director of The Walk to Emmaus and Chrysalis movements. His vision of small groups as important settings for spiritual formation and his experience in the contemplative life as well as local churches provided the inspiration for the Companions in Christ series. Bryant was instrumental in shaping the foundational 28-week resource.

Jane Vennard was called to a ministry of teaching and spiritual direction and ordained by the United Church of Christ, a Protestant denomination. She teaches in various ecumenical setttings, leads retreats in North America and Australia, and is a spiritual director in private practice. For many years she served as senior adjunct professor at Iliff School of Theology in Denver. Jane is the author of several books, including The Way of Prayer in the Companions in Christ series and Fully Awake and Truly Alive: Spiritual Practices to Nurture Your Soul.