Prayer GuideTraining Course - starts January 17th 2026

Would you like to explore or deepen your calling to a ministry of prayer guiding - accompanying others through retreats in daily life or weeks of guided prayer?

If so, this course is for you. It takes place over ten Saturday mornings at St Mary’s Convent, 98 Hunters Road, Lozells, Birmingham B19 1EB, followed by two "practice" Retreats in Daily Life.  During the first of these retreats, half of the course participants will act as prayer-guides and the other half of the participants as the retreatants.  These roles are then reversed for the second one. 

The Saturday sessions consist of: 

A short prayer time engaging with different ways of praying, followed by input covering the following topics:

  • The Ignatian journey

  • Listening skills

  • What are we listening for as prayer companions?

  • Images of God

  • The place of desire

  • Consolation and desolation

  • Discernment

  • Supervision

  • Safeguarding

  • Organising an Individually Guided Retreat


Participants then work in groups of three (triads) to practise listening and discernment together. A member of the training team observes each triad to give feedback. The triads take about an hour and form the most important part of the session.  You'll also have opportunities to watch role plays and to ask questions in the full group sessions. 

Because the triads are the heart of the course, it is important that you attend all sessions – your absence in any one week will disrupt that process. We do try to have contingency plans for emergencies but ask that you make attendance a priority.

To take part in the course you will need to have made an Ignatian retreat either in daily life or residentially.  A Retreat In Daily Life can be arranged for you if need be, as long as you enquire in sufficient time before the course starts.

Cost

The total cost for this course is £200. We ask for a £50 deposit once your application is accepted, and that the remaining £150 be paid at commencement of the course. However, we can consider requests for bursaries or for more time to pay if needed.

Register your interest

To register your interest for this course, please use our Contact form. Thank. you.

Watch the short video below to learn more about this course. You can also see other videos on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSxTSfCC0gLZNa8E6jTbHEg/featured