Steff Smart was in Kampala from 26 May to 1 June, teaching a group of 70 students as part of the School of Ministry.

He taught a module on Personal Prayer ”“ Part 2 of a two part scheme he had written himself. Subjects covered were: Finding Your Own Way to Pray, Personality and Prayer, The Jesus Prayer, Running a Quiet Day and a Prayer Workshop.

As on previous occasions, the students seemed to take to the material very well despite some of the ways of prayer being described being quite unfamiliar. Particularly well-received was the session on Personality and Prayer. The students enjoyed figuring out their own and others’ personality types and were persuaded that this often has an effect on the way we pray. Behaviour which they might have considered unsupportive or even suspect in the past was now seen in a new light. For example, if a person in their community did not join in with the loud singing and dancing, it did not necessarily mean that he or she was being rebellious. Among the individuals he talked to after the session there was a definite sense of having been given permission to be themselves ”“ which was basically the point of the exercise. He remembers one particular chat that made him think that yes, maybe he is being called by God to this ministry. HE was sitting round a table talking to three students about the difficulties they faced in prayer. One of them said she was so glad I had come because I had taught her a way of prayer which she felt was right for her. So often in the past prayer times had been ‘bang, bang, bang!’ It was ok to be quiet. Hearing this ”“ and in Uganda of all places! - almost brought tears to his eyes.

There was a similar response to much of the other material. The students enjoyed finding out about Be Still days and swapped anecdotes with him on what has happened to them on days away like this. The module contained plenty of practical and discussion work. Once the students were familiar with what was expected of them, they got down to work very well. Watching them go round the prayer stations during the Prayer Workshop was particularly moving. People seemed to get down to prayer quickly and intensively. They were really focussed, even though the style of prayer ”“ quieter, more contemplative and reflective ”“ was not their usual style.

The Jesus Prayer session aroused the most controversy. Some students balked at the idea of using prayer ropes, not because they saw anything wrong with them personally (it was pointed out clearly that the rope was not magic or Catholic) but because they feared that some ‘weaker brethren’ in their flocks who were former Catholics might not ‘understand’. Fair point. All in all it was a most successful week. He particularly enjoyed teaching in the church before quite a large crowd. He gave his testimony and talked briefly about using the body in prayer. He also enjoyed meeting Simeon again. IHe loved listening to him; some of the things he shared about the thought life and having minds like Christ were staggering.

This was a life-changing week for me. He had some issues to sort out with God before he came and in Namirembe he found the space and time to really hear from him. he came back ”“ though physically tired ”“ revitalised and enthused. He almost felt the same as he did when he was a young Christian. He felt God has accelerated a process in him ”“ regarding the book, his involvement in church, and his sense of security in God - and it’s all down hill from now on!