What do you think when you hear the words - Pilgrimage with Prayer? Pilgrimage with prayer is the theme for this summer here on Healthy Spirituality. We are all on a journey in life – and I am literally taking several trips this summer and hope to take you as a reader on the path through various prayer practices in this season. “If we truly want to know the secret of soulful travel, we need to believe that there is something sacred waiting to be discovered in virtually every journey.” Phil Cousineau What is a Pilgrimage? A pilgrimage is an outward journey that transforms our inner journey. To me a pilgrimage is to look at ourselves and what surrounds us with new eyes, to be changed whether we travel around the world or into our own backyards. Some pilgrimages are to well-known sacred places. Others could be more personal – a trip to Ground Zero or to a parent’s grave. A writer may visit a famous author’s home and see where they wrote their words. To live each moment … [Read more...]
Digital Prayer Tools – What Digital Gadgets and Apps Draw You Closer to God?
The last few weeks we've been exploring various tools for your prayer tool box. I shared a list of analog tools ideas and methods last Thursday and today let's dive into the digital world. This month on Healthy Spirituality as we honor 2018 being the Year of Prayer we are looking at different tools we can use in prayer. Each month this year on the Tending the Holy Thursdays there will be a focus on an aspect of prayer. On my Thursday posts, I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore deeper. I call this series Tending the Holy Thursdays. What digital methods help to slow you down and enter God's presence? Digital Prayer Tools To compile this list, I checked my phone and computer first for the apps I use on a regular basis. Here are some of my favorites plus ones I discovered while researching this topic. By the way, many of the link below connect to the I-Tunes store since I am an apple user, but most of the list the apps are also available for Android. Echo - On my … [Read more...]
Analog Prayer Tools – What Non-Digital Methods Draw You Closer to God?
What type of analog or non-digital prayer tools do you use? This month on Healthy Spirituality as we honor 2018 being the Year of Prayer we are exploring different tools we can use in prayer. Last week I introduced the image of a prayer tool box. This week ideas that are more analog based will be shared and next week we will dig into some digital ones. Each month this year on the Tending the Holy Thursdays there will be a focus on an aspect of prayer. On my Thursday posts, I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore deeper. I call this series Tending the Holy Thursdays. What non-digital methods help to slow you down and enter God's presence? Analog Prayer Tools We live in a world full of beeps, chirps, and apps. "There's an app for that" is quite a true statement. While I love the convenience of digital tools and I will next week share some I have discovered and use in prayer, I find a balance of tactile and unhurried approaches is also necessary. Analog prayer … [Read more...]
What is in Your Prayer Tool Box?
With 2018 being the year of prayer here on Healthy Spirituality and spring cleaning fever attaining high pitch at least in my house and heart, digging into my prayer tool box seems like a great image to explore. Each month this year on the Tending the Holy Thursdays there will be a focus on an aspect of prayer. On my Thursday posts, I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore deeper. I call this series Tending the Holy Thursdays. Prayer Tool Box I like the image of a tool box. This is a treasure chest of prayer practices you have used, continue to use, or have been curious enough to know at least a little about. We all have them – the go-to tried and true ways we come to God and those little someday I may try that ideas. I do believe God is with us all the time and there is nothing we can really “do” to evoke his presence. He is the pursuer of our hearts and surrounds us and lives within no matter what we do. As Annie Dillard wisely wrote, "I cannot cause the light. … [Read more...]
Two Prayers to Ponder
2018 is the year of prayer here on Healthy Spirituality and today I want to share with you two prayers to ponder. Prayer is the theme for this year and we have been exploring various aspects of this practice in other posts such as Pray Slow and Seasons of Prayer. Sometimes slowly saying the words written by others in prayer touches our hearts and wakes our spirit. Their expressions mirror what I am experiencing and I catch myself saying, "yes! That is exactly how I feel too." I heard each of these prayers on different podcasts and jotted them into my journal for further contemplation. If you are curious about what podcasts stirred me in this way here they are: Renovare and Ruth Haley Barton's Transforming Center. The first prayer below is by Richard Foster from his book, Prayers from the Heart and reminds me to be honest and to come as I am, just me, to God. One of our greatest basic human needs is for love and acceptance and isn't it wonderful God continually opens his … [Read more...]
How To Incorporate Thomas Keating’s Centering Prayer Into Your Prayer Life
Centering prayer is one spiritual practice that helps me slow down to be with God. In April on this blog, we are looking at the keys of slowing down to spend time with God in stillness, slowness, and quiet time with God. On my Thursday posts, I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore deeper. I call this series Tending the Holy Thursdays. Don't forget to get the updated handout called "Slowing Down to be with God." It contains ideas, resources, and questions to consider when getting off the busyness treadmill to abide, to be with God in prayer. You can download this free guide by clicking the button at the end of the post. I am excited to welcome guest blogger, Kevin Morley. Keven is a spiritual seeker who runs a blog called Satori Mind (www.satorimind.co.uk). Kevin uses silent prayer and contemplation every day in his journey of spiritual growth. Welcome to the Healthy Spirituality blog, Kevin! “Silence is the language God speaks; everything else is a … [Read more...]
Prayer – Creating Quiet Time with God – Guest Post
I have the best intentions, but often fail at my quiet time with God. As we ponder the topic of prayer this year, the practice of creating space in our crazy hectic lives for purposeful time with God is a necessary step. In April on this blog, we are looking at the keys of slowing down to spend time with God in stillness, slowness, and quiet time with God. On my Thursday posts, I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore deeper. I call this series Tending the Holy Thursdays. Don't forget to get the updated handout called "Slowing Down to be with God." It contains ideas, resources, and questions to consider when getting off the busyness treadmill to abide, to be with God in prayer. You can download this free guide by clicking the button at the end of the post I am excited to introduce to you a guest blogger today, my friend. Deb Butterfield. I asked her to share some thoughts about quiet time with God. Debra L. Butterfield is the author of Carried by Grace: a Guide for … [Read more...]
Pray Slow
I tend to rush. Scan the surface. Only occasionally take the time and energy to dive deep. I am learning to slow down, to pray slow. Slowness is another of the essential elements of praying we are exploring this month here. With 2018 being the year of prayer on the Healthy Spirituality blog, in April we are looking at the keys of slowing down to spend time with God in stillness (last week's post), slowness, solitude and silence. Each month this year on the Tending the Holy Thursdays there will be a focus on an aspect of prayer. On my Thursday posts, I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore deeper. I call this series Tending the Holy Thursdays. I updated a handout I used in 2016 called "Slowing Down to be with God" and this will be this month's free guide for you. It contains ideas, resources, and questions to consider when getting off the busyness treadmill to abide, to be with God in prayer. You can download this free guide by clicking the button at the end of … [Read more...]