You Are Loved: Praying with John

My Journal - Agatha Nolen

In The God of Intimacy and Action: Reconnecting Ancient Spiritual Practices, Evangelism and Justice, Tony Campolo writes: “The good news is there are spiritual practices that enable us to be renewed spiritually and have that “first love” with God again and again.”

One spiritual discipline uses the ancient practice of praying with prayer beads. I’ve written a new book, You Are Loved: Praying with John to provide you with selections from the Gospel and Letters of John that will reinforce God’s love for you, and encourage your creativity in responding to God’s love. Each chapter has a blank page for you to insert your “response”. It may be your own words, doodles, photos, magazine cut-outs, or any other creative outlet as you respond to each chapter after praying with the beads. The verses can be prayed alone with an Anglican Rosary, or as a group with one person acting as the facilitator.

The theme of love is the key element in John’s writings with “Love” appearing 57 times in the Gospel of John, more often than in the other three gospels combined. “Love” appears 46 times in the First Epistle of John.

My new book is available in paperback ($9.99) or Kindle eBook ($7.99). Although an official book launch has been postponed until we return to in-person gatherings, I plan on hosting free zoom meetings in the fall which will answer questions about Anglican Prayer Beads as well as how the book intends to let the Holy Spirit speak to you through the Gospel and Letters of John!

Although Anglican Prayer Beads only became popular in the 1980’s, early Christian monastics known as the Desert Mothers and Fathers were reported to have gathered up small pebbles and put them in their pockets in the 3rd and early 4th centuries. While walking, they would pray and toss a pebble into the sand each time they completed a prayer. When their pockets were empty, they would stop, gather more pebbles, and begin again. Beads or knots on a rope were more convenient and the rosary became a tactile way of focusing our contemplative prayer and meditation.

Watch for upcoming announcements of free zoom calls this fall to learn more about this ancient practice!

Are you ready to begin our journey?

with the Peace of Christ,
Agatha