Spiritual Formation Experiences 

These are a few different exercises we can walk through together. Some are more traditional formation exercises and others you may not have heard of before. You may never have heard of any of them yet. I’m happy to talk through them in a little more detail, but here’s a run down for now. You may choose any of these to walk through together in a monthly session. You can repeat any you’d like, as much as you’d like. Though we are going through an exercise together, I find that often, there are themes that come up as we pay attention, listen, and respond to God, and in so doing, we are also doing spiritual direction.

The Examen: An ancient practice in the Church that can help us see God’s hand at work in our whole experience through prayerful reflection on the events of our day in order to detect God’s presence and discern his direction for us

Lectio Divina: A slow, reflective reading of scripture using the processes of: Read (Lectio), Reflect, (Meditatio), Respond (Oratio) and Rest (Contemplatio) with the intention of transformation not just information

Visio Divina: A structured, visual reflection designed to engage our senses and deepen our experience with God. Much like the process of Lectio Divina, but adding visual elements to connect and reflect with God

Visual Journaling: Connecting and conversating with God through our right brains

Lament: An exercise to both identify grief and walk through the written practice of lament to bring your grief to God

Discernment Exercise: A prayerful discernment practice to aid in decision making, orienting our lives to God, and embracing a holy indifference

Slow Prayer (Centering Prayer, Breath Prayer, Listening Prayer, Statio, etc)

Writing Prayer into my Everyday Moments (Sacramental Prayer/Liturgy/Prayer of the Hours)

Surrendering Burdens Prayer Exercise: A prayerful reflection, conversation and release of burdens with Jesus in the meeting place of Psalm 23

Practicing Sabbath/Sabbatical Rhythms: Pause, Play, Pray

The Garden Prayer Exercise: Exploring My Limits, Longings, and Boundaries

Spiritual GPS: A Positioning Exercise with God (Where am I/Where is God/What is He doing in my life, etc)

Enjoying God: Learning to be with God and enjoying His presence