Advent invites us to embrace the mystery of incarnation—God’s action of dwelling in and among us. Because so much of our faith involves mystery, it can be helpful to acknowledge that and sit with it, even if it is uncomfortable. We can pray with this holy discomfort. We can pray our questions.
For this practice I have collected a series of questions for you to choose from. Or you may have one of your own ready to go!
The Practice
- Find a comfortable setting to spend time with a question.
- Look over the list of questions below and select one you will be praying with. Or create your own.
- If you like to write your reflections, have a journal or writing material handy.
- Begin by asking God to be present to you in the midst of the question and your reflections on it.
- Spend at least 20 minutes in silence with your question.
- First, open yourself to the question
- Allow your mind to settle and simply sit with the question for a few minutes.
- What comes to mind? What is attractive to you about the question? What is disturbing?
- How would you—at this time in your life—answer this question?
- How is God present to you in either the question or your reflection on the question?
- Close with a short prayer of gratitude for the gifts that come in the questions and the mystery.
Some Questions to Ponder in the Exercise
- What is it that you care most about in life?
- What is revelation from God? When have you experienced it?
- What is the role of evil in a world created by God?
- How can we find God? How does God find us?
- What is the true nature of God?
- In what ways does God intervene in the world?
- What is it that reconciles us with God?
- What is eternal life?
- When have you felt God’s presence most acutely in your life?
- How do you know when God is communicating with you?
- What is your deepest desire in life? How is God present in that desire?
- In what life activities do you experience God’s presence on a regular basis?
- In what activities do you feel blocked from God’s presence?
- When did you first notice God’s presence in your life?
- Who was God for you when you were a child?
- What do you want most from God?
- Can you recall a time you felt resentful, angry or afraid of God?
- Can you think of a time in which God intervened in your life?
- Are there patterns of events in your life? What does the pattern indicate to you?
- If you truly felt God’s love and presence in your life today, how might your actions change?
- Can you think of a hard time in your life in which you were able to feel God’s presence and guidance even in the midst of the pain?
- What event in your life changed the direction of your life?
- What are your particular spiritual gifts to the world?
- What brings you to prayer? Can you speak honestly and soulfully to God? How do you do that?
Questions Jesus Asked
- What do you want me to do for you? (Mark 10:36)
- What are you looking for? (John 1:38)
- Why are you afraid? (Matt. 8:26)
- Why were you searching for me? (Luke 2:49)
- Why do you call me “Lord” yet do not do what I tell you? (Luke 6:46)
- Where is your faith? (Luke 8:25)
- Who do you say I am? (Luke 9:20)
- What is written in the law? (Luke 10:26)
- What is the Kingdom of God like? (Luke 13:18)
- When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? (Luke 18:8)
- Why do you call me good? (Luke 18:19)
- Do you want to be made well? (John 5:6)
- Will you lay down your life for me? (John 13:38)
- My God, why have you forsaken me? (Mark 15:34)
- Have you believed because you have seen me? (John 20:29)
- Do you love me? (John 21:17)
For more about spiritual direction as I practice it, check out my website. If you have questions or comments about the content of Spiritual Direction 101, please let me hear from you in the reply section below.
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