Ignatian Prayer and Spirituality: A Daily Spark for Growing Christians
Hey there! Today, let’s chat about something that might just add a fresh spark to your daily walk with God. It’s called Ignition Prayer and Spirituality, and no, it doesn’t involve cars or engines, but it’s all about kickstarting that inner spiritual engine we all have. Whether you’ve spent years in the office managing teams, this approach can add a new dimension to your prayer life that resonates with the wisdom and experience you’ve gathered over the years. I mentioned one aspect of Ignatian spiritually recently. Here is an expansion of those suggestions.
What’s Ignatian Prayer Anyway?
Ignatian Prayer is inspired by Ignatian spirituality, founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola. It’s not just a set of prayers but a way of connecting with God through our everyday experiences. It emphasizes awareness, imagination, and emotion as pathways to experiencing God’s presence in our daily lives. Now, I know what you might be thinking: “Sounds complex.” But stick with me; it’s simpler than it seems and incredibly enriching.
Getting Practical: Ignatian Prayer in Your Daily Life
1. The Daily Examen
Let’s start with something called the Daily Examen. It’s a five-step reflection designed to help you see God’s hand in your everyday life. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Gratitude: Begin by thanking God for the blessings of the day. Even the small wins, like a lovely dinner with your spouse or a phone call with a grandchild.
Review: Go through your day in your mind, noticing where you felt God’s presence. It could be in a moment of peace, a good decision made, or even a challenge.
Response: Talk to God about what you’ve noticed. Share your feelings openly, like you would with an old friend.
Forgiveness: Ask for forgiveness for any missteps and ask for His guidance to do better.
Grace: Look forward to tomorrow and ask for God’s grace to live it in accordance with His will.
2. Prayer of Imagination for Scripture
Ignatian spirituality invites us to engage our imagination by placing ourselves within a Gospel story, imagining the sights, sounds, and feelings. Choose a Gospel passage, read it a couple of times, and then close your eyes and imagine you’re part of the scene. What do you see? What do you hear? How does it feel to be there? This method makes the story come alive and can offer new insights into familiar passages.
3. Finding God in All Things
This principle is about recognizing God’s presence in our daily activities and encounters. Whether you’re gardening, playing with your grandkids, or enjoying a quiet moment alone, take a moment to see how God might be speaking to you through these experiences. It’s about turning the ordinary into the extraordinary by acknowledging God’s presence in it.
4. Conversational Prayer
Think of prayer more as a conversation with a dear friend rather than a formal speech. Share your thoughts, worries, joys, and even your doubts with God throughout the day. It doesn’t have to be at a specific time or place. Whether you’re out for a walk or doing household chores, chat with God as you would with a companion who’s walking beside you.
5. Community Sharing
Lastly, sharing your spiritual journey with others can be incredibly enriching. Consider joining or forming a small group within your church community where you can share your experiences of finding God in your daily life. These gatherings can be a source of encouragement, insight, and deeper connection with others who are also on this spiritual journey.
Ignatian Prayer: Not Just for the ‘Spiritually Deep’
Ignatian Prayer and Spirituality is accessible to everyone, regardless of where you are in your spiritual journey. It’s about deepening your relationship with God in a way that’s integrated into your daily life, leveraging your experiences, wisdom, and even the challenges you’ve faced. So, give it a try. You might just find that this approach brings a new depth and richness to your prayer life that resonates with the life you’ve lived and the wisdom you’ve gained.
Remember, it’s not about adding more to your to-do list but about seeing and experiencing what’s already there in a new light. So, as you go about your day, keep an eye out for those “Ignatian” moments where God’s presence is just waiting to be acknowledged. Happy exploring!
Pastor Mark
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