The Soul Care email is like receiving a mini retreat in you inbox 8 to 10 times per year. Each email includes several resources to help you in your spiritual walk with the Lord. Some of the resources included are spiritual practices, music, blogs or podcasts, scripture for reflection, inspirational quotes and book recommendations/reviews.
You can sign up by emailing us with the subject line: Soul Care email signup.
Annual Examen Written by Alan & Gem Fadling from Unhurried Living
“A daily examen is a practice whereby we reflect prayerfully on the experiences of our day to watch for God’s presence, God’s action, God’s grace. This enables us to gain wisdom for our continued journey with God in the days ahead.
This resource is meant to give you some windows through which to look back over a year rather than simply one day. The reflections and prayers below grew out of a time of listening to Isaiah 61 and looking back over a year in my life. The practice of an annual examen is much like a daily examen, but focuses on a longer look back. “
Pray, asking God to show you things in your life that are currently going wrong or are less than ideal.
In a journal, write down the things he brings to mind (8 to 10 items). They may be small annoyances, significant personal tragedies or something in between.
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you which one to begin with. As you think about that situation move through these steps:
In prayer, let go of your desire to understand why this happened. This step helps us to be mindful that God is loving and all powerful. We take our focus off of the problem and turn toward him, trusting him in the situation
Let go of your expectation to have a life without problems. As we let go of our expectation that life will not have any problems, we are able to turn toward God and trust him.
Praise God acknowledging that he will bring something good out of the situation.
Continue to praise God even when you don’t see a change in your situation.
Journal what happens as you use this practice in this situation you are facing. Include scriptures that have been helpful, feelings you have experienced, insights into your situation, etc.
Prayer is not about the vocabulary we use or how well we form and articulate the content. It’s not about long impressive prayers to persuade God to do what we want. It’s about drawing from that place of “lowly position” that Jesus calls his disciples to – a childlike trust and simplicity when we approach God.
Before you pray, it’s sometimes helps to put yourself in the right frame of mind – one of trust, hope and acknowledgement of the power of God in your life.
One way to do that is by first being quiet before God and making some simple requests to Him.
Then, listen. Then pray. Here are a few suggested requests:
Preparing My Heart to Listen: Sample requests to God before prayer
“Lord, increase my awareness of Your Presence. I welcome You.”
“Father, calm me. Focus me. Help me listen. Help me think on You.”
“Holy Spirit, what do You want to say to me right now?”
“Lord, refresh my trust in Your ways and Your timing.”
“Father, what do You want me to pray for this person? (situation?)”
“God, I need Your help. I really want to hear from You. Give me ears to hear. Speak, Lord, Your servant is listening.” (I Samuel 3:10)
“Give me the ability, Lord, to recognize and understand what You’re saying.”
“Lord, who do You want me to pray for today? And how?”
“God, what do You want me to give thanks for today?”
You can also come up with your own questions while inviting God to speak. Then listen intently with an undivided, undistracted, hearing heart. Hang on His every word. Take time to enjoy the pleasure of His company. Then pray as He directs.
When it’s time to pray, here are four approaches to prayer that can help you keep God-focused
Adoration – for who God is – His character, His names, His roles,
His worth – worship and praise Him
Confession – for what has been displeasing to God – confess, repent, ask forgiveness
Thanksgiving – for what God has done and given – for salvation, blessings, provision, protection
Supplication – requests, asking God for His divine help to meet needs, solve problems, work in someone’s life, bring healing
You might want to close with a simple doxology praising God for his who He is.
Spiritual Resources
Listed here are some Spiritual Resources which we highly recommend for pastors, ministry leaders and spouses.
Soul Care Spiritual Resources Email:
Soul Care Email
The Soul Care email is like receiving a mini retreat in you inbox 8 to 10 times per year. Each email includes several resources to help you in your spiritual walk with the Lord. Some of the resources included are spiritual practices, music, blogs or podcasts, scripture for reflection, inspirational quotes and book recommendations/reviews.
You can sign up by emailing us with the subject line: Soul Care email signup.
Prayers:
Prayer of Relinquishment
Prayer of Relinquishment
Click here to view/download the PDF file.
Spiritual Practices:
Annual Examen
Annual Examen
Written by Alan & Gem Fadling from Unhurried Living
“A daily examen is a practice whereby we reflect prayerfully on the experiences of our day to watch for God’s presence, God’s action, God’s grace. This enables us to gain wisdom for our continued journey with God in the days ahead.
This resource is meant to give you some windows through which to look back over a year rather than simply one day. The reflections and prayers below grew out of a time of listening to Isaiah 61 and looking back over a year in my life. The practice of an annual examen is much like a daily examen, but focuses on a longer look back. “
Click here to view/download the PDF file.
See more from Unhurried Living on their website – https://www.unhurriedliving.com/
When things go wrong
What should I do when things are going wrong?
This practice is taken from the book, Essential Practices of the Faith, by B. Beer, J. Franks & Matt Lewis (SDG Publishing)
Go off to a quiet place and reflect on these scriptures:
Habakkuk 3:17-18; 2 Chronicles 20 :21-22; Hebrews 13:15
Journal what happens as you use this practice in this situation you are facing. Include scriptures that have been helpful, feelings you have experienced, insights into your situation, etc.
Simple Prayer: Preparing my heart to listen
Simple Prayer
Prayer is not about the vocabulary we use or how well we form and articulate the content. It’s not about long impressive prayers to persuade God to do what we want. It’s about drawing from that place of “lowly position” that Jesus calls his disciples to – a childlike trust and simplicity when we approach God.
Before you pray, it’s sometimes helps to put yourself in the right frame of mind – one of trust, hope and acknowledgement of the power of God in your life.
One way to do that is by first being quiet before God and making some simple requests to Him.
Then, listen. Then pray. Here are a few suggested requests:
Preparing My Heart to Listen: Sample requests to God before prayer
You can also come up with your own questions while inviting God to speak. Then listen intently with an undivided, undistracted, hearing heart. Hang on His every word. Take time to enjoy the pleasure of His company. Then pray as He directs.
When it’s time to pray, here are four approaches to prayer that can help you keep God-focused
You might want to close with a simple doxology praising God for his who He is.