Rowan Williams - The Problem of Prayer (N146)

May 24, 2017

Dr. Rowan Williams, a respected theologian, discusses the concept of prayer and the yearning for deeper connection. The speakers explore the transformative power of love in crisis situations and the development of a prayer life as the Archbishop of Canterbury. They also delve into the significance of carrying prayers and the impact of contemplative prayer on mindset. The importance of attentiveness and listening is emphasized, and plans for bonus content and devotional materials are announced.

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Introduction

00:00 • 2min

Transitioning from Nomad 1.0 to 2.0 and Coaxing Dave Ward Back In

02:24 • 2min

Light-hearted Conversation about Dressage and Rowan Williams

04:21 • 2min

Exploring the Idea of Prayer with Dr. Rowan Williams

06:14 • 4min

The Transformative Power of Love in Crisis

10:32 • 28min

Developing a Prayer Life as Archbishop of Canterbury

38:54 • 25min

The Value of Carrying Prayers and Connecting Through Words

01:03:53 • 2min

Contemplative Prayer and the Overflow into Life

01:06:02 • 15min

Attentiveness and Bonus Content

01:21:02 • 7min

What actually is prayer? What happens when we do it? What difference can it make, if any, to the events and circumstances we find ourselves in? Should we expect to sense God in prayer, or perhaps even hear him communicate to us? And if so, why do so few of us ever seem to have these sorts of experiences.

For many of us, these questions, and others like them, have led us to a place of disillusionment and prayerlessness. And yet we still yearn for the deep, rooted, holistic connectedness that prayer promises.

So we brought these questions, and others, to Dr. Rowan Williams, Master of Magdalen College, Cambridge, former Archbishop of Canterbury, and expert in the history of Christian spirituality. He's known as a man of great wisdom and deep spirituality. And he didn't disappoint!

“If things are difficult it's not because God wants to make things difficult. If things are difficult it’s because growing up is difficult and loving is difficult and trusting is difficult and faithfulness is difficult. Get used to it. But, the one who is within and beyond all this is the one who’s essentially on your side, who wants you to go through all this so you live as fully as you can.” - Rowan Williams

Interview starts at 8m 5s

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