PRAYER:

PLW (Prayer and Life Workshops) is a service that allows us to learn and improve the art of prayer. Here you learn to pray by experiencing prayer.

We enter into a personal relationship with the Lord using several prayer methods, beginning with simple forms of prayers and reaching the heights of contemplation.

Prayer is both grace and art. As grace, it is a gift of God; as art, it involves our human nature. Therefore, it requires discipline, a methodical and progressive learning process. Prayer will transform us into friends and disciples of the Lord.

By weaving the personal meditation of the Word and intensive prayer with community reflection and silencing exercises, the participants overcome their inner fears, sadness, anxiety, and anguish.

As a result of a deep faith experience and surrender to God's will, the participants experience "the peace that surpasses all understanding." Complexes, traumas, and nervous conditions are alleviated. Emotional stability is achieved. The joy of living is regained.

After an intense contemplation of Jesus, the Workshops help to initiate a transforming process that makes us Christlike: meek, patient, humble, sensitive, and compassionate.

Therefore, we ask ourselves, when confronted with daily circumstances: "What would Jesus do in my place?," and act accordingly.

APOSTOLIC MISSION:

The workshop does not establish church groups nor prayer communities. It offers a limited and humble service: teaching how to pray and how to live an authentic Christian life.

The workshop is an instrument of evangelization because in the workshop's last sessions, the participants are sent forth to fulfill their priestly, prophetic, and regal mission of Christ.

Our dream is to transform each workshop into a nursery of apostolic vocations.

CHARACTERISTICS:

• Each participant in the workshop must make a commitment to God, Himself and Others.
• In each session, God speaks to us and we respond to God.
• The workshop is a service of the laity; most of the guides are lay people and they form the coordinating teams in close relationship with the Church.
• The workshop characterizes itself by its punctuality, order, and discipline.
• The workshop is a service:

• The workshops make a contribution to society by upholding family values and Church unity.

ORGANIZATION:

Our ideal:  MINIMUM STRUCTURE AND MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY. Each workshop consists of 15, two hour weekly sessions. The ideal number of participants: 15-30.

The guide's mission consists of being faithful in the application of the spirit and content of the PLW Manual; under the authority of the International, National, and Local Team.

The vision and inspiration of The Prayer and Life Workshops is Father Ignacio Larrañaga, OFM Cap., who now resides in Santiago, Chile. He is an internationally well-known author and retreat master.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Prayer and Life Workshops of Central California