St Francis’ Prayer Inspired By The Our Father (His Version of the Lord’s Prayer)
“St Francis’ Prayer Inspired By the Our Father” is one of his best writings, but it’s little known. It’s based on his meditation of the Lord’s Prayer.
How to Lead a Lectio Divina Group
This article features simple, step-by-step instructions on how to lead a Lectio Divina group. These instructions are meant to go along with Soul Shepherding’s library of Lectio Divina Guides, each of which provide the format we use. I’m assuming that you have some knowledge and experience of with Benedict’s 6th Century way of reading and…
Healing Prayer For Harmful Images
Have you ever seen something that brought you distress or even traumatized you? Do you have any harmful images you’ve internalized that periodically come back to upset you?
Ignatian Meditation Guides
Ignatian meditation is the most used method for Scripture meditation around the world. It was developed in the 16th Century by Ignatius of Loyola and used in his famous Spiritual Exercises, which Kristi and I completed on a thirty-day Sabbatical in 2015 under the spiritual direction of Tom Ashbrook, founder of Imago Christi. At the heart of The…
A Discernment Prayer to Know God’s Will (John 17)
Jesus’ John 17 prayer can used as a discernment prayer for Christian leaders and groups. This tool frames Jesus’ petitions as six key discernment questions. If we make Jesus’ holy prayer our prayer then we’re sure to get in sync with God’s will!
Bless My Enemies, O Lord
How do you respond when a family member speaks harshly to you? When you’re publicly criticized or slandered? When you’re vandalized or abused? Often it’s people we love or those we serve who mistreat us. We all suffer in these ways, especially pastors and others who serve the Lord in ministry. How are we to…
Praying Psalm 139
Many Christians are stunted in their spiritual growth because they don’t understand or express their deep emotions and desires. As pastors, ministry leaders, caregivers, or parents we may get so busy or so focused on other people that we become disconnected from our own emotions and needs. But being self aware is crucial to our…
Christmas Devotional Experience
We’d like to share with you my favorite Christmas devotional experience that we use for Advent. We’ve done this in our personal devotions the last six years. We’ve also used it in small groups, spiritual formation classes, and family gatherings. It’s a fun and meaningful way to celebrate Advent and the Christmas season with friends!…
Abiding in Jesus and the Father
The Psalmist prophesied, “[The Lord] raised up for his people a horn [the Christ], the praise of… the people close to his heart” (Psalm 148:14, NIV84). I read this and my heart melts within me… “The people close to his heart.” I am close to the Lord’s heart! In Christ God draws close to me,…
Without Love I Am Nothing
The famous love chapter in the Bible is often misunderstood. It’s not about romance. It’s not even about human love. If we read about the love that is described in 1 Corinthians 13 and then try to be more loving we’re in trouble! That’s a lot of pressure, guilt, and failure! In 1 Corinthians 13…