You will discover and engage with a range of prayer practices from key figures and Christian communities, beginning with the earliest church and moving through the centuries. Indigenous wisdom, both from ancient practices, and from contemporary First Nations writers, will be explored. The relationship between prayer, the biblical text, ministry, social justice, and personal transformation will be investigated. Particular attention will be paid to contemplative practices, meditation, rituals, and embodied forms of prayer. The purposes of prayer, and the reality that at times prayer is difficult, will be explored. Throughout classes space will be provided for personal reflection and discussion.
Unit code: DS8222P
Unit status: Approved (Major revision)
Points: 24.0
Unit level: Postgraduate Foundational
Unit discipline: Spirituality
Delivery Mode: Face to Face
Proposing College: Pilgrim Theological College
Show when this unit is running| 1. | Articulate the place of personal prayer within the Christian tradition, beginning with the earliest church. |
| 2. | Analyse the diversity of Christian styles of prayer and spirituality, including both apophatic and kataphatic approaches. |
| 3. | Articulate an understanding of the significance of personal prayer for a life of Christian discipleship, public ministry, and the work of social justice. |
| 4. | Engage with diverse prayer practices and identify effective strategies for sustaining a practice of personal prayer. |
| 5. | Evaluate the links between resources for fostering Christian prayer and spirituality and the Uniting Church’s Basis of Union. |
| 6. | Demonstrate capacity to apply learning in leading adults or young adults to explore prayer practices in engaging and culturally appropriate ways. |
This unit combines both Seminars and an Action Reflection Model. Students are introduced to key spiritual figures and communities from across the Christian tradition, and practices are located within their historical context, and explored in relation to the biblical text, theology, the church, and the world. The Action Reflection Model provides students with direct experience of diverse prayer practices week by week, and opportunities to evaluate, discuss, and integrate these practices within their own lives and communities.
| Type | Description | Word count | Weight (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Journal - Journal | Weekly journal submitted for feedback in Week 3, then final submission of the whole journal in Week 11. |
3000 | 40.0 |
| Learning Resource - Spiritual resource presentation | Students will create and present an engaging and contextual Learning Resource for a small group of adults or young adults within a congregational contexts. |
2000 | 30.0 |
| Oral Examination - Prayer in the Christian Tradition | Students will complete a short answer oral examination, assessing their knowledge of:
|
1000 | 30.0 |
Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 9 Feb, 2026
Unit record last updated: 2026-02-09 09:36:33 +1100