A conversation with Ruth….

What encouraged your desire to help people deepen their faith?

Without adding to the discussion about what prayer is, I believe that, in its simplest form, it is connecting with God. Over the years I have had the opportunity to lead and/or be part of many initiatives centred around prayer, and along the way it has become increasingly evident that prayer is ‘caught’ rather than ‘taught’. Experience connects us with God, more than information. I have, to be honest, been surprised that being with people, exploring in a safe environment what that might look like for them, has been helpful and appreciated.

What are you most passionate about? What drives you?

I am driven by a longing for people (including myself) to know God, not just know about Him. The difference is well camouflaged, but the aching of my heart is to be someone who God uses to facilitate real and individual connection with Him. In many ways I have no idea how He does this, but He does. I am driven partly by this desire but also by the inexplicable, indescribable joy of watching others connect with God in deep ways.

What do you believe is the key to discovering a renewed sense of God’s presence?

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am averse to keys or one step answers. Not only that but I am of the opinion that we reduce God if we think there is a ‘one size fits all’ way of discovering a renewed sense of His presence. Having said that, there are some common features which seem to help.

Noticing. Our society is increasingly driven by speed. We seem to be moving faster and faster, so much so that we are in danger of missing where God is and what He is doing. Part of what I offer in retreats is a window into how we can practice noticing Him in our busyness thus increasing our awareness of Him in our day to day experience.

Openness. It sounds so simple to be open to what God may have for us, and in some ways it is. But giving time to ponder and meditate on Him and on His ways, gives opportunity to observe things differently, to change our focus or be reconfirmed in how we already see.

Honesty, being ‘real’. This is potentially the most important element. God meets us where we are. We may wish we were different, long for our circumstances to change - we may well be trying to be different - but we are where we are and we are who we are. Taking time to reflect on the fact that God meets us and is for us in this place of honesty, to be ‘real’ about life - its joys and challenges – is a key feature in helping us sense God’s presence with us in it all.

How would you describe your spiritual journey?

My journey with God began growing up in a loving Christian environment. I consider myself more than blessed to have been surrounded by a family whose faith was woven through their days and weeks, and the out workings of love were both natural and consistent. I therefore grew up knowing the reality of a faith which makes a difference to the way we live and the choices we make. I sometimes find it challenging not to be able to say ‘I came to faith when such and such happened’. Whilst I could outline some events, it makes more sense to me to liken it to learning to walk. I know that I did. I probably fell a few times, was helped up and tried again, but I don’t actually remember the process. So it is with my coming to relationship with God – there have been stumbles and challenges, but I have learnt (am still learning) to walk with Him.

Since my youth, my path has, perhaps inevitably, wandered about somewhat. I have worshiped in most denominations in my time, learning from each, but also treasuring the God who unites rather than the details that divide. In each environment I have been drawn to the prayer life of the community, including being on staff with responsibility for prayer at a church in California where we lived for a while.

Most recently the journey to savouring different prayer practices and quiet spaces was enabled by a Spiritual Direction course I completed in the Diocese of Oxford in 2006. Here I began to put words, forms and activities to what was already nestled in my heart. I started leading quiet days and retreats soon afterwards.