Course Introduction
Let’s face it: Prayer can be difficult and prayer can be confusing. Sure, cultivating a life of prayer might seem reasonable if you’re living in solitude in a quiet mountain cabin, but how, really, do we practice prayer when we’re caught up in the stresses and demands of real life? And does prayer even make a difference?
Listen and learn as longtime friends Sierra and Andrea chat with each other about prayer in real life. This “podcast class” is designed to fit into your own real life. Listen to the weekly podcasts anytime during the week, and try the prayer activities on your own schedule. If you’d like a little more interaction, you’re encouraged to journal about your prayer experience and send your journal entry to Sierra for her brief feedback, and set up a one-on-one prayer conversation with Andrea.
Introvert friendly and real-life friendly!
That's right, there is no small-group interaction for this class and you don't even have to connect with the instructors if you don't want to. You can listen to the podcasts when you wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep, when you're exercising, or when you're commuting to work. You can journal in your pajamas. But the instructors are also available if you'd like to reach out and process what you're learning!
Free? Yes. In keeping with Eden Spiritual Care's mission of making spiritual formation opportunities widely accessible, classes are funded entirely by generous donor contributions so you can take classes at no charge! If you would like to make a donation to help fund future classes, you are welcome to do so, but there is absolutely no expectation that you will. Suggested donation for this class is $35.
What's on the course website
Your take-aways
Who this is for
This intro-level course is open to anyone!
Course Requirements
Questions? Comments?
Let’s face it: Prayer can be difficult and prayer can be confusing. Sure, cultivating a life of prayer might seem reasonable if you’re living in solitude in a quiet mountain cabin, but how, really, do we practice prayer when we’re caught up in the stresses and demands of real life? And does prayer even make a difference?
Listen and learn as longtime friends Sierra and Andrea chat with each other about prayer in real life. This “podcast class” is designed to fit into your own real life. Listen to the weekly podcasts anytime during the week, and try the prayer activities on your own schedule. If you’d like a little more interaction, you’re encouraged to journal about your prayer experience and send your journal entry to Sierra for her brief feedback, and set up a one-on-one prayer conversation with Andrea.
Introvert friendly and real-life friendly!
That's right, there is no small-group interaction for this class and you don't even have to connect with the instructors if you don't want to. You can listen to the podcasts when you wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep, when you're exercising, or when you're commuting to work. You can journal in your pajamas. But the instructors are also available if you'd like to reach out and process what you're learning!
Free? Yes. In keeping with Eden Spiritual Care's mission of making spiritual formation opportunities widely accessible, classes are funded entirely by generous donor contributions so you can take classes at no charge! If you would like to make a donation to help fund future classes, you are welcome to do so, but there is absolutely no expectation that you will. Suggested donation for this class is $35.
- Dates: Whenever you're ready! This class is accessible 24/7 and has no scheduled components.
What's on the course website
- Links to 6 podcast conversations between Sierra and Andrea, with each podcast running approximately 25-45 minutes (the longest one is broken into two segments)
- Lists of the resources mentioned in each podcast
- Instructions on how to try the prayer exercises mentioned in each podcast
- Journaling prompts based on the content of each podcast
- A link to email your journal entries to Sierra for her brief feedback, if desired
- Information on how to set up a prayer call with Andrea, if desired
Your take-aways
- Think about how you would define prayer, and why you pray
- Reflect on what you've learned about prayer in the past, and how or whether your understanding of and practice of prayer has changed
- Ponder--along with Sierra and Andrea--whether prayer actually impacts outcomes
- Reflect on the practice of prayer during life's hardest times
- Engage in various prayer practices, increasing your understanding that there are a variety of ways to pray
- Bolster your confidence that you can live a life of prayer, even in the midst of everyday demands and chaos
Who this is for
This intro-level course is open to anyone!
- People of any gender
- People of any educational background
- People who have identified as Christ followers since their childhood, or have only recently begun identifying as Christ followers, or who have never or no longer identify as Christ followers but who are curious to learn more about the Bible, Jesus, and Christianity
Course Requirements
- Internet access with enough bandwidth that you are able to stream podcasts smoothly
- Ability to understand English
- Ability to write in English if you'd like to send journal entries to Sierra
- Access to a phone (for a voice call) if you'd like to set up a prayer call with Andrea
Questions? Comments?
About the Instructors
Sierra Neiman Westbrook, M.Div.
Founding Director of Eden Spiritual Care & Certified Spiritual Director
Sierra spent seven years working in the Christian publishing field before beginning eight years of teaching at George Fox University (writing, theology, and spiritual formation) and Portland Seminary (spiritual formation). A graduate of Portland Seminary, Sierra holds a Master of Divinity degree and a certificate in Spiritual Formation & Discipleship. She is also certified through Portland Seminary as a spiritual director. Sierra brings to her work a curiosity about how theology of lament, narrative pastoral care, and explorations of one's God image can enrich a person’s relationship with God. She also enjoys hiking, watching ballet performances, baking, writing, drinking lots of tea, and spending lots of time with her husband, Justin, and their young son, Jonah.
Founding Director of Eden Spiritual Care & Certified Spiritual Director
Sierra spent seven years working in the Christian publishing field before beginning eight years of teaching at George Fox University (writing, theology, and spiritual formation) and Portland Seminary (spiritual formation). A graduate of Portland Seminary, Sierra holds a Master of Divinity degree and a certificate in Spiritual Formation & Discipleship. She is also certified through Portland Seminary as a spiritual director. Sierra brings to her work a curiosity about how theology of lament, narrative pastoral care, and explorations of one's God image can enrich a person’s relationship with God. She also enjoys hiking, watching ballet performances, baking, writing, drinking lots of tea, and spending lots of time with her husband, Justin, and their young son, Jonah.
Andrea Catlett, MA
Eden Spiritual Care Board Member
Andrea is a former pastor and has served a wide variety of ministries. She currently serves as a hospital chaplain. Through her education and experience, she has found prayer to be her constant calling. As a special needs mom and being disabled herself, she naturally advocates for those who need their voice heard in the healthcare system or simply a fellow friend.
Eden Spiritual Care Board Member
Andrea is a former pastor and has served a wide variety of ministries. She currently serves as a hospital chaplain. Through her education and experience, she has found prayer to be her constant calling. As a special needs mom and being disabled herself, she naturally advocates for those who need their voice heard in the healthcare system or simply a fellow friend.
