This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
ard J. Foster (HarperSanFrancisco, 1988). • The Long Loneliness: The Autobi- ography of the Legendary Catholic Social Activist by Dorothy Day (HarperOne, 1996). • What’s So Amazing About Grace? by Philip Yancey (Zondervan, 2002). • The Story of a Soul: The Autobi- ography of St. Therese of Lisieux by St. Therese of Lisieux (ICS Publica- tions, 1996). Find inspiration in their words and practices. Consider meeting weekly with several people to dis- cuss the wisdom of an author and how his or her insights could apply to your lives.


2. Learn to fast. Whether denying yourself food or some other pleasure for a period of time, adopt this bibli- cal practice to deepen your relation- ship with God. If you intend to fast in a dietary way, be sure to consult your physician first.


3. Record your spiritual practices in a journal. At the end of each day, write your thoughts to God. Reflect on your joys, disappointments, fears, hopes or anything that has touched your life that day. As you review your journal from week to week, you’ll discover how much you’ve grown—or need to grow—in your life with God.


4. Go on a pilgrimage. Find out about spiritual retreat centers, holy places and other sacred sites in your area or beyond. Spend some time during the year in prayer, meditation and conversation with others at such a place. You’ll return with a greater sense of your spiritual nature as well as the spiritual nature of others and the world around you.


5. Create an area for private prayer in your church. With the approval of your congregation’s leadership, help arrange a small area in the church that is quiet and private. Provide resources—prayer books, religious images, a prayer request notebook—that can be used by those stopping by throughout the week for prayer and meditation. Consider creating a labyrinth—a winding, one-way path for prayer and meditation—that can be set up inside or outside the church.


6. Practice acts of kindness. Learn about those in need in your area. Then be a “little Christ,” as Luther calls us, by offering a kind word, a helping hand or a donation. Look for opportunities to respond to others as you go about your daily activities and commit to at least one such act a day. It will help you focus less on yourself and more on the needs of others—spiritually enriching for you and others.


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7. Adopt the wisdom of the Swed- ish proverb: “Fear less, hope more; eat less, chew more; whine less, breathe more; talk less, say more; hate less, love more; and all good things are yours.”


Enrich your faith one step at a


time by making 2012 a new begin- ning on your spiritual journey. M


Download a study guide for this article (free to print/Web members) at www. thelutheran.org (click on “study guides”).


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January 2012 29


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