CMP Review 2025-03-25

March 25, 2025

Charlotte Mason is well known for offering a method of education that develops the whole child: mind, body, and soul. Thankfully, many modern guides and explanations are available to help us understand specifically how her method feeds the mind and the body. But when it comes to feeding the soul, the details are not as fresh and crisp.

How do we as parents and educators nourish our children’s souls? E. M. Bounds wrote, “When faith ceases to pray, it ceases to live.” Charlotte Mason also understood that the soul lives and grows by prayer. In fact, she wrote quite a bit about this aspect of the spiritual life. Surprisingly, however, few efforts have been made to systematically review and present Miss Mason’s teaching on prayer.

Nancy Kelly sought to remedy this gap. In the course of research, however, she found out more than just how to awaken prayer in our children. She also discovered balm for her own soul at a time when she needed it most. Listen to Nancy Kelly’s powerful and moving presentation and testimony entitled “Prayer: Speech of the Soul,” recorded live at the 2024 Living Education Retreat. Find it here.

@artmiddlekauff