What's the secret to living a spiritual life? So much is happening in our world that we often get distracted and listen to voices other than the voice of God. "If we want to be disciples of Jesus, we have to live a disciplined life," Nouwen asserts. In the spiritual life, discipline requires conscious effort to keep every area in life from being filled up. It means creating space in our life for God to act and speak. Nouwen identifies 3 essential disciplines for maintaining a life of disciple...

Sometimes our prayers flow easily, and we talk to God just as naturally as we would to a dear friend. But sometimes we can't find words to express our thoughts, no matter how hard we try. What can you do when you can't pray, or when you need a prayer for a specific occasion but don't know where to begin? You can turn to the prayers of other Christians to carry you into God's presence. Prayers for Life's Ordinary and Extraordinary Moments is a unique collection of prayers that give you words t...

Why is it important to prepare your heart for Holy Communion? Holy Communion (also known as the Lord's Supper, service of Word and Table, or Eucharist) is an act of worship that Christians are called to offer to God, Robert Benson believes. "[The observance of Communion] is a critical part of our life together," he notes. "It seems critically important that we approach this act of praise and thanksgiving with some measure of reverence." Benson invites us to take a fresh look at this central p...

"Pray for me," someone says to you. How seriously do you take such a request? Ken Carter, a pastor for nearly 30 years, says he has learned to honor the request "Pray for me" as a cry for help. "It is an acknowledgment that we are limited and finite creatures. It is a trust placed in a higher power," he comments. "It is always prompted by a situation that would not be desired, yet it is always an occasion for the grace of God." Carter compares a person in need—whether it's because of illness,...

Caregiving is a demanding task that takes a huge toll on the person providing care—mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Nell Noonan, speaking from her own experience as caregiver for her husband, describes caregiving as a "cataclysmic spiritual experience." She says it's critical for caregivers to practice self-care so they can cope with their situation. Paying attention to one's spiritual health is especially important. The 28 Days format (4 weeks of brief daily readings that ...