Prayer and Life Workshop (PLW) - A Critical Review

LATER ADDITION and WARNING: An insightful associate (J.S.) who follows this blog, asked for a photograph of the Imprimatur page for The Prayer and Life Workshop (PLW) material. We have a number of PLW publications, including all their workshop materials, study guide, leaders guide, and a large document that traces the history of the organization. THERE IS NO IMPRIMATUR. The organization has a very large presence on the web, with workshops in dozens of countries. But when you ask Google to find the term IMPRIMATUR in connection with PLW, NOTHING COMES UP.

PLW

The Prayer and Life Workshop, which is presented in many parishes around the world and in many different languages, has a noble goal and evidently has helped thousands develop an authentic prayer life. This is commendable.

My wife, Pam, has taken the PLW leadership training, which is extensive although a bit repetitive, but has successful produced confident workshop leaders.

The workshop is an authentic "workshop" in that it meets once a week for 2 hours for 15 weeks and interactively involves the participants. Participants learn to pray in a variety of ways and are immersed in the Christian Scriptures. Interactively, during the workshop sessions, there are exercises for relaxation in an effort to disengage from the worries of the day and to focus on God, especially by invoking the Holy Spirit. There are Bible readings, songs, quiet reflections, times of silence, times of sharing in the small group that meets, and two fairly long talks in two parts of each session, presented via CD by a slow speaking, serious, male voice.

I have started taking the workshop, mostly because Pam has asked me to. But, normally, we have always prayed a lot together, and when the kids were around we conducted daily devotions of Bible readings and prayers. Even today, privately, I will spend easily an hour day in some form of prayer. I start before I rise from bed by listening to the Divine Office's Office of Readings. After dressing and before breakfast I will write in a prayer diary, which I've kept since I was a teen, my meditations on Bible passages (sometimes contemplations) and a list of intercessory prayers. At noon my iPhone alarm reminds me to stop and pray the Rosary. Before Pam and I start in on our daily activities, we will pray together extemporaneously, and at night before bed we will do the same. At the end of our evening prayers we will recite the Our Father, a Hail Mary, the Fatima Prayer, the Prayer to the Archangel Michael, a Glory Be and finally Bless ourselves. Then, finally, as I go to sleep my iPhone will play the Divine Office's Night Prayer.  Prayer and related times of reflection, meditation and contemplation, are invaluable in communicating with God and the saints. They are important forms of therapy, and irreplaceable tools for accomplishing things out of my control.

I write all of that to reinforce that the PLW is something I easily support. But, I have....

Some Criticism

The Smell of Smoke was Not on Them

Posts by this author now appear at her own blogsite: NoSmellofSmoke.blogger.com.

The satraps, the prefects, the governors and the king’s counselors gathered around them and saw that in regard to these men the fire had no effect on their bodies—their hair was not singed, their clothes were not scorched or damaged, even the smell of smoke was not on them.
DANIEL 3:27 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/dan.3.27.AMP

Dear Stan & Pam,

I am writing this to remind myself that God's salvation is not just surviving but surpassing, surreal and supreme. 

After the interview yesterday, roaming aimlessly in the small downtown shopping center in the chilly autumn weather, I felt undeniably and unprecedentedly old...I definitely have entered into the middle age. Shopping attracts me no more and not even distracts me. 

What's the point of a middle-aged woman with no prospect of relationship spending money and energy on looks? And I told myself even if life goes on I will be forever scarred and look permanently different. And imagine I was thinking in this direction even before I learned that my interview didn't quite seal the job for me. 

This morning I thought I couldn't get out of bed...I have to make decisions about a number of interlinked logistic issues...my own return, my parents accommodation and my own and if I would live with them in city, etc...

And if Pam still remembers, the Croatian guy in whom I placed a certain vague hope... Nothing came out of it... despite the good laugh and talk each time we saw each other at the dance classes or parties. He asked about my latest and I politely said goodbye. He wished me well. 

All these small bits and pieces are eating away my strength and resilience.

I will have no job or love here or back home. I'm just an old useless woman. I felt I couldn't get out of bed to face today.

To deafen the "all wise" pessimistic voice I keep on listening to sermons... I find in my case some of the so called prosperity preaching is really like sugar for hypoglycemia patient...life saving. Although, it is maybe not so for those who suffer from obesity and diabetes... But me...oh, messages about how God loves us and will do the best and never will leave us... is never going to be an overdose.

I told myself..my Father will not just save me, but will restore my youth and energy... that in the end no one not even myself will be able to tell the hell I have gone through... 

There will be no smell of smoke about me.

Amen.

I love you.. To be able to share these with you is such a blessing.

Your friend.