For Lent 2023, the Bishops of London Diocese hosted five online sessions exploring ancient ways of Christian prayer that are still relevant today and can help us spend time in the presence of God.

Sessions:

  1. The Examen
  2. Lectio Divina
  3. Centring Prayer
  4.  Imaginative Contemplation
  5. Visio Divina (Praying with Pictures)

Hand-outs and a recording of each of the session are available below. The sessions can be engaged with individually or in small groups.

Download the Handouts

Videos

Session 1 - The Examen

The examen is a spiritual practice of thankful reflection, walking through the recent past with God. Regular use can aid discernment. God shows us where to direct our time and energy

Session 2 - Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina or Sacred Reading is a ‘slow reading’ of a chosen text from the Bible, allowing the words to speak in new ways

Session 3 -Centring Prayer

Centring Prayer is a way of entering into silent prayer. It moves us from more active and wordy kinds of prayer into a place of resting in God. It is not intended to replace our other ways of praying, but to deepen them and underpin them.

Session 4 - Imaginative Contemplation

Imaginative Contemplation is a form of meditation whereby the Spirit of God helps you to imaginatively enter an event in the life of Christ as presented in the Gospels.

Session 5 - Visio Divina

Visio Divina or Sacred Seeing, is a practice based on Lectio Divina, but rather than sitting with a Bible passage, it uses visual elements to help set your mind on prayer. It allows God to speak to you through the image or object.

Contributors:

  • Martin Carr is Operations and Finance Manager at St Paul’s and St Cyprian’s churches in Marylebone, Vice Principal of the St Edmund’s Courses, a Licensed Lay Minister at All Hallows by the Tower, and joint Area lead on Creation Care in the Two Cities Area.
  • Catherine Armstrong is advisor for prayer and spirituality for the Bishop of Stepney, a spiritual director and retreat leader. She has an MA in Christian spirituality where she was introduced to Lectio Divina which she now uses as part of her prayer life.
  • Charles Hippsley works as a consultant for the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity, is a Spiritual Director and tutor at the London Centre for Spiritual Direction.
  • Mthr Mitzi James is curate at Hornsey Parish Church and Chaplain to the local YMCA hostel and charity. Before being ordained in 2020, she worked in local government and a variety of roles in the charitable sector.
  • Revd Dr Ayla Lepine is the Associate Rector at St James’s Piccadilly in London. She has a background in art, architectural history and theology and has lectured and published across the globe. From 2021-22 she was Ahmanson Fellow in Religion and Art at the National Gallery in London.