The Heart of Prayer
Prayer is a doorway to the one who made and loves us. Beyond routine and ritual lies a conversation that can reshape the heart.
Mary Stanford, Adjunct Professor of Theology at Christendom College and speaker on Catholic life, guides you into the hidden rhythms of a prayer life that awakens the soul and transforms the self.
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Course Breakdown
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Section 1. What is Prayer?
"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." (James 4:8) In this module, students will understand prayer as a personal encounter with God. Through the lessons in this section, they will understand that knowing God is fundamentally different from knowing facts or objects—it requires a free, trusting relationship rather than detached observation.
— Encounter
— Communication
— Communion
Section 2. How Prayer Changes Us
In this module, students explore how prayer transforms the believer from the inside out. Through personal encounter with God, prayer produces knowledge, love, and service—fruits that shape character, moral growth, and relationships.
— Knowledge
— Love
— Service
Section 3. How to Cultivate Our Prayer Life
In this module, students learn practical ways to develop a vibrant and sustainable prayer life. Just as physical health requires consistent care, spiritual growth flourishes through structure, nourishment, and regular practice.
— Structure
— Food
— Regularity
Meet Your Instructor
Mary Stanford is an Adjunct Professor of Theology at Christendom College, where she teaches and mentors students in Catholic theology and spiritual life. She is also a speaker and author on topics related to Catholic marriage, family, and personal holiness. Mary draws on both her academic expertise and her experience as a wife and mother to help students and audiences deepen their understanding of faith and cultivate a meaningful relationship with God.
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