Praying Together Online
Nearly ten years ago I was persuaded to be part of an ‘online prayer group’. Joanna and I were both initially adamant, ‘you need to be in same room to pray together!’ Our experience since then says how wrong I was. Unless sleep or no internet prevents, each morning we join with 6-8 others (not always the same.) This combination of friendship and ‘spirituality’ has transformed my (our) prayer life.
I’ve been praying for opportunity to explore doing the same at St Mary’s. I was, therefore, delighted when Charles Price suggested we find a way during Thy Kingdom Come to pray together, at this time on line, of course. Following the approach which has evolved in the Morning Prayer group.
- We selected 5 times we would pray together over the 10 days, starting promptly at 6.00 and finishing within 30 minutes.
- Skype audio call (we have not found using video helps!) with loudspeaker phone for one internet-less participant.
- Follow the basic format of Compline, with variations, ie not the same Psalm and reading each time and include short ‘Examen’, ‘Lectio Divina’ and open prayer (silent or spoken.)
- Make it as participative as possible, sharing round who reads, prays and who sings (distortion results if try do so together.)
