​Instructional Materials

 

Some instructional materials for sharing and ministries are offered below.  This material is in addition to the necessary "Basic Learning Experience Handouts" found on the general "Resources" page of this website for learning the prayer, and the information in chapter 9, "Mentoring Others in Companioned Prayer," and in chapter 13, "Sharing from the Heart," in the Companioned Prayer book below.  Because these instructional materials are periodically updated, you may wish to download the current versions when you are preparing to offer Companioned Prayer to others.

 

If you have not yet learned and practiced Companioned Prayer and there is no learning experience being offered near you, rather than use these instructional materials to learn the prayer, simply get together with a few friends in your church or religious community, and with the support of your pastor, experience and practice the prayer using the Basic Learning Experience Handouts on the Resources page.

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Planning and Preparation

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The following material can help you plan and prepare for the complete Companioned Prayer learning experience.

• Guidelines for Sharing Companioned Prayer - for those who are preparing to share the prayer.

• An Overview of the Learning Experience - provides an overview of the recommended learning experience.

• Guidelines for Safe and Accessible Environments - Everyone involved in any leadership or mentoring should be aware of and follow the requirements and guidelines of their sponsoring and hosting organizations for a safe and accessible environment, especially for young people and vulnerable adults. These guidelines offered here add important recommendations specific for Companioned Prayer.

• Sample Mentor Training Outlines - Sample outlines for two mentor training sessions, in MS Word.​

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Introductory Presentations

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General introductory presentations prior to the four learning sessions can be very useful in providing a good sense of what Companioned Prayer offers.  This allows people in a group environment to to have some experience prior to signing up for the four sessions.  The following material can be used for introductory presentations to various ministries or groups.

• Outreach and Introductory Presentations - offers general guidelines for effective outreach and introductions.

• Sample Presentation Outline - an outline of an hour long Introductory Presentation in MS Word.

• The Mystery of God #1 - this is the first group prayer experience in the Introductory Presentation (see the outline).

• Reflective Prayer - this is the second group prayer experience in the Introductory Presentation (see the outline).

• Sample Presentation Flyer - an 8.5x11" flyer in MS Word that can be edited and used for outreach.

• Sample Reminder Cards for an Introductory Presentation - in editable PDF.  Can be printed both sides on 8.5x11" card stock and cut into four cards per sheet.  Can be used for outreach.

• Sample Flyer for a Four Session Learning Experience - an 8.5x11" flyer in MS Word that can be edited and handed out at the end of the Introductory Presentation, and also used for other outreach.

• Sample Reminder Cards for a Four Session Learning Experience - in editable PDF.  Can be printed both sides on 8.5x11" card stock and cut into four cards per sheet.  Can be handed out at the end of the Introductory Presentation, and also used in other outreach.

• Sample Signup Sheet for a Four Session Learning Experience - in MS Word that can be edited and used at the end of the Introductory Presentation, and also in other outreach.

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Four Learning Sessions - with Mentors

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The preferred method of learning during the four sessions is with the guidance of experienced companions or "mentors."  Also see the sample flyer, reminder cards, and signup sheet for the four learning sessions, provided above under "Introductory Presentations."

• Guidelines for the First Two Learning Sessions with Mentors - for the mentors offering the learning sessions.

• Guidelines for Reflecting the Prayer Experience - to be used only during the first two learning sessions.

• Guidelines for the Third and Fourth Learning Sessions with Mentors - for the third and fourth learning sessions.

• Sample Outlines for the Four Learning Sessions with Mentors - provided in MS Word.​

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Four Learning Sessions - without Mentors

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If you do not have experienced companions who can serve as mentors during the four learning sessions, you can still offer the four sessions using the following approach and material.  Also see the sample flyer, reminder cards, and signup sheet for the four learning sessions, provided above under "Introductory Presentations."

• Sharing the Prayer without Mentors - Describes this learning approach for when mentors are not available.

• Sample Outlines for the Four Learning Sessions without Mentors - provided in MS Word.

• Introduction to the Loving Heart of Jesus prayer form, used only in the first learning session without mentors.  (This form may also be initially used in personal ministry.)

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Ongoing Prayer Groups

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Regular participation in on ongoing Companioned Prayer ministry is vital to continuing to grow in the prayer experience.  In addition to the following handout, see chapter 5 in the book, Companioned Prayer, available below under "Books."

• Companioned Prayer Partners and Groups - this is the same document as under "Supplemental Handouts" above.

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Follow-on Retreats

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Follow-on Companioned Prayer retreats are for those who have been practicing the prayer in a prayer group, usually for at least a month.  Periodic follow-on retreats offer wonderful opportunities for community, to explore the prayer in more depth, and to plan for outreach and service. 

• Guidelines for Retreats - some general guidelines to help with retreat planning.

• Potential retreat topics and activities in MS Word, offers a list of ideas to consider for your retreats.​

 

Additional Group Exercises

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​Group exercises as discussed in "Supportive Interior Exercises" in chapter 9 of the book, Companioned Prayer, are offered below.  These can all be used with a group of people.

• Psalm 46:10 - suitable during an introductory outreach presentation or a learning session.

• Reflective Prayer - suitable for an introductory outreach presentation or a learning session.

• The Mystery of God #1 - suitable for an introductory outreach presentation or in a Companioned Prayer retreat.

• The Mystery of God #2 - may be useful in a Companioned Prayer retreat.

• Holding a Baby - may be useful in a Companioned Prayer retreat.

• Recalling Someone Special - may be useful in a Companioned Prayer retreat.

• Checking for effortlessness - may be useful in a Companioned Prayer retreat.

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While the CPCF offers all of the above guidelines and resources to churches and religious communities, ultimately it is the responsibility of those sponsoring organizations to determine how to offer Companioned Prayer and how to use it in their ministries.

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Articles and Links

 

There are no articles or links posted at this time.

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Books

 

The primary source of information about Companioned Prayer is found in the book, Companioned Prayer; an Interactive Prayer for Companions, Families and Small Groups, by William Stobbe.  Do not use this book to initially learn Companioned Prayer.  Instead see the Learning the Prayer webpage.  However, this book can be read before teaching Companioned Prayer or using the prayer in a ministry.  It is full of detailed information - far more than on the pages of this website.  You may freely download the most recent Adobe pdf version dated 4/14/2024 by clicking this link: download book (1.8 Mb).  The book is also available to purchase from Amazon as a paperback or as a Kindle compatible e-book, also dated 4/14/2024. The link to Amazon is here.