This course invites participants to embark on a profound exploration of prayer as a journey of the heart and soul toward union with God. Rooted in the wisdom of Carmelite spiritual masters and mystics, this course provides practical guidance and spiritual insight for anyone seeking to deepen their relationship with God and navigate the challenges of the spiritual path.

As part of the Deepening Prayer Series this course is designed to uncover the rich, transformative process of prayer, examining what one encounters along the path, the signs of growth and regression, its joys and consolations, trials and challenges, and the ultimate goal of union with God. Each session explores key metaphors and themes drawn from the writings of the great mystics and spiritual teachers, introducing participants to spiritual practices and indispensable dispositions for deepening their interior life.

Aims: This course aims to guide participants through the dynamic stages of prayer as described by the spiritual masters, enabling them to deepen their prayer life and interior journey toward God. Participants will grow in understanding the joys and challenges of this journey, equipping themselves to embrace the transformative work of grace.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Recognize Prayer as a Journey: Understand prayer as a process of growth, transformation, and union with God.
  • Embrace Love as the Core of Prayer: Discover how prayer invites and fosters a profound relationship of love with God.
  • Navigate Challenges with Confidence: Learn how to identify and face the purifying and humbling phases of prayer with trust and courage.
  • Integrate Wisdom of Mystics: Acquire a language to describe your spiritual experience while applying the wisdom of the spiritual masters to your own prayer journey and lived experience.
  • Guided Retreat: Participate in days of guided retreat designed to enhance your prayer experience and foster a deeper sense of God’s presence.
  • Personal Reflection and Sharing: Reflect on your personal prayer journey through journaling and group sharing sessions, enriching your experience through community insights and support.
  • Expert Guidance: Benefit from the wisdom and expertise of experienced Carmelite instructors and spiritual directors who will guide you through the subtleties of advanced prayer practices.

This course offers a holistic and experiential approach to prayer, applying the ancient wisdom of Carmelite spirituality to the lived experience of modern seekers. It introduces participants to the language and metaphors used by the great spiritual masters and mystics – Saints Teresa of Jesus and John of the Cross – to describe the dynamic experiences of prayer, making their teachings accessible and relevant today. Participants will journey in a community of like-minded individuals, fostering mutual support and shared growth.

In a world filled with distractions and spiritual challenges, The Journey of Prayer offers a roadmap for growing closer to God through the transformative power of prayer. This course is especially relevant for anyone:

  • Seeking to deepen their understanding and practice of prayer.
  • Facing challenges or dryness in their spiritual life and longing for renewal.
  • Interested in learning from the wisdom of Christian mystics and spiritual teachers.
  • Desiring to integrate their prayer life into their daily living and relationships.
  • Wishing to support others on the spiritual journey.

The School of Prayer is open to all who wish to deepen their experience and knowledge of prayer and to explore the journey of prayer with others.

Requirements for the course are:

  • Commitment to one’s prayer life
  • Heartfelt desire to draw from the rich tradition of Carmelite spirituality in deepening one’s prayer experience
  • Attendance (we understand that life does sometimes get in the way)
Key Features
Course Dates

Course Dates and Topics – 2026

The Journey of Prayer

(7pm UK time)

Prayer: An Invitation to Love – This topic will explore the experience of prayer as a response to God’s invitation into an intimate and life-giving relationship of love.

Prayer: A Yielding to Love – Learn the art of surrender in prayer, allowing God’s will to shape and guide your life.

Prayer: A Reconciliation in Love – Discover prayer as a space for healing and reconciling with God, oneself, and others.

Prayer: A Safeguarding in Love – Reflect on the protective power of prayer in nurturing and sustaining the interior life.

Prayer: The Experience of Purifying Formation – Reflect on the protective power of prayer in nurturing and sustaining the interior life.

Prayer and the Journey in Truth (Humility) – Explore the essential virtue of humility and its role in cultivating authenticity and openness in prayer.

Prayer: The Experience of Illuminating Reformation – Encounter the illuminating phase of prayer, where God’s light reveals deeper truths about oneself and the divine.

Prayer and the Virgin Eye (Detachment) – Understand detachment as a spiritual discipline that frees the soul to focus entirely on God.

Prayer: The Experience of Unifying Transformation – Enter into the unifying experience of prayer, where the soul is drawn into communion with God.

Prayer and Self-Gift (Charity) – Learn how prayer leads to self-gift and service, inspired by God’s love and charity.

Programme Schedule

Registration and Next Steps

To register, please choose a payment option below.
Any questions, please email admin@carmelite.org.uk

Cost

One off payment

£350

Cost

Over 2 monthly payments

£175

(For alternative payment options,
please call us on 07849 596572 or email: admin@carmelite.org.uk)