What are some things you do to improve your spiritual life?

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Seeks_God

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Recently, I’ve made a concerted effort to improve my spiritual life; for example: 1.) I’ve commited myself to daily prayer, 2.) I’m intent on joining the Knights of Columbus, 3.) I’m volunteering to help out with Church activities.

As an active individual, I’m always looking for ways to improve and do better, but at times I know that my commitments can sometimes lose their “luster”. So I would love to hear any ideas you all have to maintain or improve your spiritual lives.

What do you all do?

Thank you,

SG:)
 
Hey SG!

I always find a few minutes of silence to be very beneficial. It may be difficult if you are an active person, but putting 5, 10, 15 or even 20 minutes aside to be completely silent helps in multiple ways. I usually do my daily morning prayer and then sit in absolute silence to reflect and listen for God’s voice.

I commend you for the efforts you are making so far! All are excellent ways to grow spiritually!

Namaste.

SFO
 
What you are doing is great.
For me, I am trying to go to daily mass and weekly confession. Besides these very important two, daily devotions and participations in different ministries keep me focused. With these, I still feel being spiritually dry quite often. My mind is still full of flesh worldly stuff. :o
 
I meet with an accountability group once a week (from a Decolores weekend we attended), I try to read the Bible a little each day and I talk to God all day. Listening to Christian music always lifts my spirits and makes me want to praise.
 
I usually set some time aside each day to read a work of spiritual contemplation or a work of a great spiritual writer (Thomas Merton. John of Cross, Desert Fathers, etc) and also spend some time in silent prayer and contemplation of God.
 
I do Eucharist Adoration every day, sitting and kneeling in front of the tabernacle, making an Holy Hour, talking to my Lord and listening to Him.

Ever since I started to do this in Lent 2006, I made speedy progress in my spirituality. I feel the Holy Spirit is holding my hand, running to a higher ground all the time.
 
Try to read some Scripture every day. It’s best to spend ten or fifteen minutes (or more!) afterwards just prayerfully contemplating what you’ve read, what it means, how it may be applied in your life.
 
Daily mass and communion, plus weekly adoration. I also say the Liturgy of the Hours.
 
Personally, I read wau.org every day. This past week, it seems to have had the right words I needed every day.

I know it’s not much, but it’s SOMETHING. Some days I do better at prayer and meditation than others. I just try to do right every day, and most days I don’t make it. But, I’m trying. Sometimes, I know I could try harder.

Difficult days I find easier to pray. I need to do better on the GOOD days.
 
LilyM said:
Try to read some Scripture every day. It’s best to spend ten or fifteen minutes (or more!) afterwards just prayerfully contemplating what you’ve read, what it means, how it may be applied in your life.
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This sounds like great advice…thanks! ~ SG
 
Seeks_God said:
:confused: I hate to admit it, but I’m not even sure HOW to say the Liturgy of the Hours…
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Don’t panic…it’s like anything, once you get the instructions, do it regularly, it’s easy to follow the format. To get you started, try this website.ebreviary.com/ Or you can purchase a one volume Liturgy of the Hours and the guide book for $2 which comes out every year for the liturgical season which tells you what page to turn to or start with Shorter Christian prayer book for a start.

The point is to try it and try to be faithful…at least with Morning and Evening prayer.
 
I read the mass readings for the day. I try to pray a rosary every day.
 
Great to hear you are doing those things. In my mind prayer will open you to the Holy Spirit and he will lead you to all that you need to be doing. The Holy Spirit will show you the doorway, but you must be willing to walk through it.
Some of the things that I am doing. I am a Sacristan (along with my wife), a Eucharistic Minister, I train alter servers, am an usher, help lead Bible Studies (my wife and with another couple), presently a Grand Knight in our council, my wife teaches 2nd grade religion and with two sacrements (reconcilliation and first communion) she requests my help quite often.
10 years ago if you would have told me i would be doing these things I would have said you were crazy! Amazing what the Holy Spirit can accomplish.

God Bless:)
 
Seeks_God said:
Recently, I’ve made a concerted effort to improve my spiritual life; for example: 1.) I’ve commited myself to daily prayer, 2.) I’m intent on joining the Knights of Columbus, 3.) I’m volunteering to help out with Church activities.

As an active individual, I’m always looking for ways to improve and do better, but at times I know that my commitments can sometimes lose their “luster”. So I would love to hear any ideas you all have to maintain or improve your spiritual lives.

What do you all do?

Thank you,

SG:)
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Hello SG, I’d recommend a few books that I’ve read/am reading.
  • Prayer Primer by Fr. Thomas Dubay
  • Fire Within by Fr Dubay
  • The Spiritual Combat by Dom Lorenzo Scupoli.
Fire within which I’m currently reading, is very interesting. It deals with spiritual progress and a deepening one’s prayer life going from vocal prayer to meditative pray to contemplative prayer to a transforming union with God.

The Spiritual Combat is a great practical book on how to resist sin and increase in virtue. It is written in a very logical, practical way and always gets straight to the point. A great read.

Also, reading about the lives of the saints is always inspirational. I always finds it gives me a boost and help me to take up my cross every day.

I would also suggest an examination of conscience before going to bed.

God bless,
Noel.
 
nkelly said:
I hadn’t noticed! 🙂 What did you think of the Spiritual Combat?
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I’m still reading it, but the thoughts within the reading are extremely compelling and are quite relevant to appreciating temptation but avoiding sin…

I’d recommend it to anyone who struggles with sin and attempting to shake it…

SG
 
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