Be Still
This Advent, join Jonathan Roumie, Sr. Miriam James Heidland, Fr. John Burns, Chris Pratt, Gwen Stefani, Mother Natalia, and Fr. Pierre Touissant for Pray25 — a journey into the Christmas story as it truly was.
The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem was one of risk, uncertainty, and chaos — yet, somehow, it remained marked by a sacred stillness and an unshakeable peace. How was this possible? For the 25 days leading up to Christmas, we’ll walk alongside Mary and Joseph and learn from their holy examples. Guided by the Infancy Narratives and Caryll Houselander’s "The Reed of God," explore how stillness and surrender can anchor your heart in Jesus. Finally, claim peace amid life's chaos by drawing on wisdom from John Mark Comer's "Ruthless Elimination of Hurry" and the writings of the Saints.
Learn more about "The Reed of God" at: https://hallow.com/reed
25 sessions
1Follow Me & RestWelcome to Pray 25! Amid chaos, God offers stillness. Like Mary and Joseph, we can rest in His promises. This Advent, we're invited to quiet our hearts and trust His unshakable peace. Today, Jonathan Roumie and Sr. Miriam will welcome us as we begin that journey together.Day 1: Jonathan & Sr. Miriam
2Silence is the CureIn this session, we’ll look at how silence shaped both the faith of Caryll Houselander and John the Baptist's father, Zechariah. Together, we'll reflect on how stepping away from noise helps us hear God more clearly.Day 2: Jonathan & Sr. Miriam
3ConsentDrawing from Caryll Houselander’s reflections, we’ll enter Mary's home in Nazareth as the arrival of the Angel Gabriel changes everything.Day 3: Jonathan & Sr. Miriam
4AnnunciationToday, Fr. John Burns will lead us through the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, as we receive Gabriel's words into our own hearts, minds, and lives.Day 4: Fr. John Burns
5SabbathChris Pratt leads us through John Mark Comer’s The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, showing how Sabbath is more than a day off—it’s a radical invitation to stop, rest, and delight in God. Together, we’ll discover practical ways to reclaim stillness amid life’s chaos.Day 5: Chris Pratt
6St. FaustinaIn today's "Saturday with the Saints", Gwen Stefani introduces St. Faustina, whose life shows the power of silence and solitude. Mother Natalia then guides us in contemplative prayer, helping us meet God in stillness and grow in trust, patience, and interior peace.Day 6: Gwen Stefani & Mother Natalia
7HomilyOn this Sunday, Fr. Pierre Touissant, a priest from the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, preaches a homily.Day 7: Fr. Pierre Touissant
8FiatJonathan and Sr. Miriam guide us through Mary’s radical fiat. We witness her trust in God’s plan, saying, “Let it be done to me,” showing how surrender amid uncertainty can change the world—and our hearts—forever.Day 8: Jonathan & Sr. Miriam
9Facing Our FearsToday's session leads us into the social dynamics of Nazareth, where we'll explore the world Mary lived in, and the many obstacles she would've faced after Gabriel departed from her. Together, we'll learn how she faced fear and judgment with stillness and trust.Day 9: Jonathan & Sr. Miriam
10JoyThe Gospel of Luke takes us with Mary as she journeys to see Elizabeth. Their reunion reveals the fruit of trust: joy. Through the Magnificat, we see how surrender transforms uncertainty into praise and hope that radiates beyond ourselves.Day 10: Jonathan & Sr. Miriam
11MagnificatToday, Fr. John Burns will lead us thorugh another session of Lectio Divina, this time, with Mary's Magnificat.Day 11: Fr. John Burns
12Quiet PlaceChris Pratt walks us through John Mark Comer’s Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, which reminds us that even Jesus prioritized quiet. Today, we explore practical ways to reclaim stillness in our hectic lives.Day 12: Chris Pratt
13Mother TeresaGwen Stefani shares Mother Teresa’s wisdom on silence, prayer and inner peace. Then, Mother Natalia leads us in contemplative prayer, guiding us to practice silence, solitude, and encounter God in stillness for ourselves.Day 13: Gwen Stefani & Mother Natalia
14HomilyOn this Sunday, Fr. Pierre Touissant, a priest from the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, preaches a homily.Day 14: Fr. Pierre Touissant
15The Search for ShelterJonathan Roumie leads us alongside Mary and Joseph on the road to Bethlehem—where faith meets exhaustion and love perseveres. Sr. Miriam invites us to invite Jesus into our lives, even if it means allowing everything we'd planned to be turned upside down.Day 15 : Jonathan & Sr. Miriam
16Wood of the Manger, Wood of the CrossToday, we're invited to step into the stable —to kneel beside Mary, to hear the breath of the newborn Christ, and to sense the shadow of the cross as He's laid in the manger for the first time.Day 16: Jonathan & Sr. Miriam
17Peace on EarthJonathan Roumie brings us to the shepherds’ field where glory breaks into the ordinary. Sr. Miriam helps us welcome that same peace, learning to hear God’s voice amid the noise of our daily lives.Day 17: Jonathan & Sr. Miriam
18BethlehemFr. John Burns draws us into the stillness of the Nativity story, revealing how God works in silence and delay. He leads us in prayer to surrender control and rest in divine timing.Day 18: Fr. John Burns
19AbideChris Pratt leads us through John Mark Comer’s call to slow down, breathe, and live at the pace of Jesus. Together we learn that peace isn’t found in doing more—but in being fully present with God.Day 19: Chris Pratt
20St. Teresa of AvilaGwen Stefani reflects on St. Teresa of Avila’s meditation on Christ at the pillar—love suffering in silence. Mother Natalia leads us in prayer, inviting us to meet Christ there, as we gaze on Jesus’ wounds and find mercy in His steadfast love.Day 20: Gwen Stefani & Mother Natalia
21HomilyFr. PT help us gather all we’ve learned this Advent—to wait, trust, and love like Mary. Together we prepare our hearts for the child who fulfills every promise.Day 21: Fr. Pierre Touissant
22PonderingToday, we watch the shepherds encounter the newborn King. Mary, holding her Son, ponders all God has done. Sr. Miriam guides us to follow her example—pausing, reflecting, and resting in His faithfulness.Day 22: Jonathan & Sr. Miriam
23Just the BeginningJonathan leads us back to Bethlehem as the Magi arrive, Herod plots, and Mary’s yes continues to unfold. Sr. Miriam invites us to reflect on how trust in God carries us through uncertainty, suffering, and joy, echoing her fiat in our own lives.Day 23: Jonathan & Sr. Miriam
24Walk with Our LadyOn Christmas Eve, Sr. Miriam is accompanied by Catholic musician, Colleen Nixon as she leads an imaginative prayer, leading us on a walk with Mary. Together, we'll encounter the quiet, holy moments of waiting and adoration, opening our hearts to God’s presence before the celebration begins.Day 24: Jonathan & Sr. Miriam
25Know That I Am GodMerry Christmas! Jonathan guides us in a final meditation with Psalm 46, rejoicing in the newborn King. We rest in God’s steadfast love and peace, celebrating the One who brings hope, stillness, and salvation to the world.Day 25: Jonathan