What is prayer? And maybe more importantly for preachers—what are we inviting people into when we stand in the pulpit and speak about it? As “Preach” continues its Lent 2026 series, we turn to the three classical pillars that shape the season: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. In this first conversation, focused on prayer, Ricardo da Silva, S.J. is joined by Amy Ekeh, Director of Mission Advancement for the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, retreat leader, author and adjunct instructor in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at Sacred Heart University.

Amy is the author of several books, including:

Stretch Out Your Hand: Reflections on the Healing Ministry of Jesus:
https://litpress.org/Products/6981/Stretch-Out-Your-Hand?srsltid=AfmBOoou0JLfIUiS0JtLdk9hn8F2os749hW0B0lqBIOcVNZrPmLICvpy

Come to Me, All of You: Stations of the Cross in the Voice of Christ
https://litpress.org/Products/00634/Come-to-Me-All-of-You?srsltid=AfmBOoolkxfNaUyCwzHWOQljn34zr__yDSFdxMnIyBZF4doscZ1FAapx

Lent: Season of Transformation
https://litpress.org/Products/4509/Lent-Season-of-Transformation?srsltid=AfmBOoptYz_Kr_DM4ZbMve_RvdVEHWoFtoRbbD3D-5Zx0_EUpC_elKVJ

Timecodes:

0:00 We can’t be afraid to ask for God’s help
1:25 Who is Amy Ekeh?
2:50 Prayer is relational
7:57 Prayer is nurtured in community
14:30 Good preaching requires you to know your congregation
16:53 Ask for healing! The people in the Gospels did.
21:38 Jesus’ Gethsemane prayer
26:16 Carving out space for silence