Prayer School
Since 2016, Grace Church in Yukon has hosted Prayer School, an interactive prayer workshop that provides participants with practical tools for their prayer lives. In 2023, they opened Prayer School to the entire Episcopal Church by partnering with Try Tank, an experimental ministry think tank at Virginia Seminary. The partnership challenged them to live-stream Prayer School, inviting others from across the country to join in. Over 30 people from across the Episcopal Church participated. Now, Prayer School is a thriving ministry in the Diocese, with many Episcopalians across our state joining either in person at Grace Church or via live stream.
The Rev. Tim Baer shared how Prayer School came to be, “Many of our members at Grace Church are new to the Episcopal Church and liturgical traditions. The Daily Office and contemplative prayer were foreign concepts to them. Most people were taught to pray by 'just talking to God,' but many felt like they needed more. I traveled to St. Louis to attend a Prayer School at Word of Life Church, led by Pastor Brian Zahnd. Brian is a charismatic pastor who gradually became liturgical over the years. He actually uses the 1979 Book of Common Prayer for his workshops and personally uses it for his devotions. His story is fascinating and resonates with many at Grace Church. He is especially skilled at translating the liturgical tradition for people who didn’t grow up in it. I wanted to learn from him, so I based my Prayer School on parts of his approach.”
“A primary thing I do because of his influence is teach people why we pray. Our theology of prayer and how we understand God in relation to prayer is essential. The primary purpose of prayer is not to get God to give us what we want, but to be properly formed. We want to create space in our lives and open ourselves to God’s presence, so that God can shape us further into the full stature of Christ, as Paul says. It’s not about manipulating omnipotence, but drawing close to Jesus. I use Rowan Williams and other theologians to help root this perspective in my Prayer School.”
Through the years, Fr. Tim shared he has learned that many seasoned Episcopalians have not been taught the rich prayer experience the Episcopal Church offers. He added, “I’ve had attendees in their 70s come to Prayer School and say, 'This opened up a whole new dimension in my spiritual life.' They are some of my biggest advocates and encourage others to attend.”
The practice of daily prayer is a central sign of congregational vitality. Finding God in all places at all times and listening to God through scripture and prayer is a building block for congregational vitality. Canon Steve Carlsen, Canon for Congregational Vitality, shared how Prayer School is a vital practice, “Vitality grows in our lives and congregations when our life of prayer spills over from our Sunday worship into our daily lives. Prayer School is one of the signs that Episcopalians in our diocese are growing in prayer and in vitality. I am so thankful to Grace, Yukon and Fr. Tim for making this available to everyone!”
At Prayer School, attendees are introduced to Morning Prayer, centering prayer, and other personal devotions. They are invited to try a few and see which work best for them. Everyone is different, and our Episcopal tradition offers a variety of options to make prayer a personal and enriching discipline.
Vicki Reynolds, an attendee at Prayer School and the Diocesan Daughters of the King President, shared her experience: “I was pleasantly surprised that Tim, a cradle Episcopalian, walked us through the history of many of the foundational practices of the Episcopal Church. He described the origin of the creeds, prayers, collects, and prayer book, as well as their purpose today. I’ve been practicing these things for years, but his information about these practices made them much more meaningful to me. Prayer has been an important part of my spiritual journey since I was very young. Learning more about different ways of connecting with God, such as Lectio Divina and Centering Prayer, will enhance this practice.”
Prayer School is typically offered at the beginning of each year and is open to the entire Diocese. Join us next year for Prayer School via Zoom or in person!
