Spiritual Practices for Living
a five session weekly program at church - presented by five experts
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Living the Spiritual Practices
resources for continuing growth
The following articles and activities provide helpful tools for deepening your understanding of the Spiritual Practices in our course, and in integrating them into your daily life. And be sure to check out the prayer activities on this web page.
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Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life
By Richard Rohr
book study groups
Falling Upward Video Introduction |
Explore a Prayer Practice
experience a prayer practice - just click on the title
Contemplative Prayer
Maybe you’re not the memorized prayer type of person, nor do you like to be confined to a scripture reading or a devotional book. Not to worry, there are many ways to pray and this one only takes your presence and attention. For those who have plenty of excuses for not praying but genuinely want to know God’s presence, contemplative prayer may be something to try. Centering Prayer Prayer is a very personal experience of being with God. Each person finds different meaningful ways to pray. Centering Prayer is a style of meditative prayer that many people find significant while others find the long silence boring. The only way you’ll find out if it helps you connect with your deepest spiritual yearnings is to try it. Guided Meditation The Psalms are wonderful prayers that can be used to communicate to God our desires, and for God to communicate in return. Using the guidance of voice, relax your body and mind and open your soul in prayer. Other 6 Ignatius of Loyola, the 16th-century founder of the Jesuits, devised an “examination of consciousness”—a prayerful review of the day intended to help people recognize where they were finding, or needing to find, God in their lives. Other6 takes the essence of this centuries-old practice of the Examen and adapts it for today’s Internet-driven world by posing two questions: Where have you found God today? and Where do you need to find God today? Lectio Divina Lectio Divina is Latin for “Holy Reading.” It is a style of prayer in which you take a scripture passage and read it slowly, pondering the words and letting them sink into your soul leading to insight or action. Liturgy of the Hours (Fixed Hour Prayer) Praying the “Liturgy of the Hours” (also known as The Divine Office) is a long standing monastic tradition, but you don’t have to be a monk to enter into the spirit of this form of prayer. Learn how a busy family person can adapt this practice of praying throughout the day. |
Take Time for Daily Devotion
find a daily devotion that works for you - just click on the title
3-Minute Retreat
Loyola Press’s highly popular 3-Minute Retreat is available via newsletter and app for the iPhone® and iPod touch® and the iPad. Each day, a new retreat features soothing music, Scripture verses, and reflective thoughts and questions. Meaningful time with God is always just a touch away. (Download the App.) Daily Meditation & Reflection from Henri Nouwen Drawn from a wide range of Henri Nouwen’s writing, these short meditations inspire and guide people's mind and heart. Each reflection takes less than a minute to read and yet can set the tone for the day. It is sent via email in the early morning. Sign up on the website to receive Bread for the Journey. Daily Prayer: JesuitPrayer.org Daily prayer is essential for nourishing our relationship with Christ. We become ever more mindful of God’s presence in all facets of our lives. Through the daily Scripture, Reflection, and Prayer, JesuitPrayer.org helps people be fortified in God’s faithfulness and his invitation to move through your day in a spirit of service to others. The prayer experience is provided every day of the week, with reflections rooted in Ignatian spirituality. God Pauses God Pause e-mail devotions are short, meaningful reflections on the following Sunday's lessons and gospel delivered directly to your e-mail box. By Sunday, you'll be ready for an extra meaningful worship experience. Liturgy of the Hours - Divine Office App Listen and pray the Liturgy of the Hours on the go. The Divine Office App is an opportunity for you to participate in the recitation of the Liturgy of the Hours, an ancient and meditative collection of psalms, hymns and scripture that represent the public prayer of the Christian community. Also available are three Lite apps: Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, and Night Prayer. Sacred Space Daily Reflection Sacred Space ordinarily follows the scripture sequence of the Revised Common Lectionary. Longer reflections on the daily scripture readings are presented for Sundays, weekdays and many saints are presented daily. Make a 'Sacred Space' a daily practice, spend ten minutes, praying here and now, at a computer, with the help of on-screen guidance and scripture chosen specially every day. (multiple languages) Upper Room Daily Reflections Each Daily Reflection includes a quote from an Upper Room book or magazine, scripture reading, and a meditation time with prayer. Sign-up at the website to received Daily Reflections. |
Take a Course with a Spiritual Guide
from SpiritualityandPractice.com
Wisdom for Living: The Parables of Jesus
By Thomas Keating, Contemplative Outreach An exploration of the wise and revolutionary teachings of Jesus through the lens of the parables. Ways to Pray from Around the World By Maggie Oman Shannon How to incorporate 12 creative spiritual practices from different cultures and religious traditions into your prayer life. Centering Prayer By Cynthia Bourgeault Teachings about a no-frills form of meditation which reconnects directly to Christianity’s hidden treasury of mystical wisdom. |
Make a Retreat - Online
Creighton University Online Retreat
This is a retreat designed for people too busy to make a traditional retreat. People can experience a relationship with God coming alive in the midst of everyday life. A simple Guide each week places themes, reflections, questions and desires into the background of our busy lives. We learn to find greater focus and to let one week build upon another. Begin any time, but if a person begins the week of September 19th, the retreat fits with the Liturgical Year. People can make the retreat alone, with a spiritual director, or form a group to make the retreat together. |