Letters to the Heart: The Spiritual Practice of Letter-Writing

Letters to the Heart by Andrea Hayes explores prayer as an ongoing, two-way conversation with God. Rooted in Ignatian spirituality, it uses letter-writing as a practical way to speak honestly, listen attentively and deepen a loving relationship with God.

Drawing on the reflective practice of the Ignatian Examen, Hayes introduces the HEART method: Hear, Examine, Articulate, Revisit and Trust. This five-part framework brings prayerful reflection onto the page, helping readers explore their experiences, express what is in their hearts and return to their writing with openness and trust.

Alongside this, Hayes offers ‘letter lectio’, her creative adaptation of lectio divina, the traditional practice of slow, prayerful reading of Scripture. Through letter-writing, readers are invited to respond personally to Scripture and bring their reflections into conversation with God.

Who will enjoy this book:

• Those seeking to deepen or renew their prayer life
• People drawn to Ignatian spirituality and finding God in everyday experience
• Readers who enjoy journaling and reflective writing
• Anyone interested in contemplative prayer and a practical Christian approach to speaking honestly with God and listening prayerfully
• Spiritual Directors and Retreat Leaders, who will find this book a very useful resource.

In Summary

What is Letters to the Heart about?
Letters to the Heart by Andrea Hayes explores prayer as an ongoing conversation with God. It draws on Ignatian spirituality and uses letter-writing to help readers reflect on everyday experience, engage prayerfully with Scripture and deepen their relationship with God.

How does the book draw on Ignatian spirituality?
Andrea Hayes draws on the reflective process of the Ignatian Examen, adapting it into a written spiritual practice through her HEART method. The emphasis is on attending to everyday experience and bringing it into prayer.

What is the HEART method?
The HEART method is Andrea Hayes’s five-part framework for prayerful letter-writing: Hear, Examine, Articulate, Revisit and Trust. It draws on the reflective practice of the Ignatian Examen.

What is ‘letter lectio’?
‘Letter lectio’ is Andrea Hayes’s creative adaptation of lectio divina, the traditional practice of slow, prayerful engagement with Scripture. It uses letter-writing to bring meditation on Scripture into a personal, written dialogue with God.

How does the book approach two-way communication with God?
The book presents prayer as both speaking and listening. Readers are invited to express themselves honestly and attend to how God may be communicating through Scripture, everyday experiences, relationships and conscience.