Do you frequently ask yourself, "How am I growing spiritually?" I don't know about you, but I often think more about my flowers or kids growing than I do my spiritual life. I wish this weren't so. But as a mom of two kids with special needs, and being disabled myself, I have firsthand experience with life feeling chaotic and a regular "daily rhythm" being elusive. So I'm grateful for the online tools I've found that help me stay rooted in faith. I hope these suggestions will also help you boost your own spiritual growth as you go through trials or hard times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
I'm drawn to two of the most basic spiritual practices: Bible reading and prayer. No matter how crazy life gets, I never want to let go of those.
Bible Reading
If you find it hard to read your Bible each day, do you know that you can have the YouVersion app read the Bible out loud to you? YouVersion has a few versions of the Bible available (like The Message and the New American Standard Bible) that you can open you can just hit "play" instead of reading the passage yourself. Or you can read the passage it and listen to it simultaneously, helping you get a fuller experience. Alternatively, if you have an Alexa or Echo device, try enabling YouVersion Rest and have the device read you a Psalm. If you don't have an Alexa or Echo device, you can find YouVersion Rest on YouTube. I listen to YouVersion Rest almost every night before I go to bed, and it so relaxing!
Prayer
There are several prayer apps that make praying easier, but one I have recently loved is Lectio 365. In this app, someone guides you through both scripture reading and prayer. There are plenty of pauses for you to be silent and hear God's voice or continue to speak to God on your own. Or if you want to dive in and pray more for the world, you might try Operation World. This app gives you information about a country you can intercede for, and you can then hit the "I am praying" button.
One last way I like to pray--that doesn't require any special app--is by inserting my name in scripture and praying a verse. For instance, if I would pray Hebrews 13:21, it would go as follows: "God of peace, may You equip Andrea with everything good for doing Your will, and may You work in Andrea what is pleasing to You, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever."
Bible reading and prayer--they are basic, but essential. And especially in life's chaos, they connect me with Jesus in the way my soul longs for. I hope these suggestions point you to tools that will be helpful to you, or spark your own creative ideas that give a boost to your spiritual health this summer.
What apps or practices help you stay rooted in faith during chaotic times?
I'm drawn to two of the most basic spiritual practices: Bible reading and prayer. No matter how crazy life gets, I never want to let go of those.
Bible Reading
If you find it hard to read your Bible each day, do you know that you can have the YouVersion app read the Bible out loud to you? YouVersion has a few versions of the Bible available (like The Message and the New American Standard Bible) that you can open you can just hit "play" instead of reading the passage yourself. Or you can read the passage it and listen to it simultaneously, helping you get a fuller experience. Alternatively, if you have an Alexa or Echo device, try enabling YouVersion Rest and have the device read you a Psalm. If you don't have an Alexa or Echo device, you can find YouVersion Rest on YouTube. I listen to YouVersion Rest almost every night before I go to bed, and it so relaxing!
Prayer
There are several prayer apps that make praying easier, but one I have recently loved is Lectio 365. In this app, someone guides you through both scripture reading and prayer. There are plenty of pauses for you to be silent and hear God's voice or continue to speak to God on your own. Or if you want to dive in and pray more for the world, you might try Operation World. This app gives you information about a country you can intercede for, and you can then hit the "I am praying" button.
One last way I like to pray--that doesn't require any special app--is by inserting my name in scripture and praying a verse. For instance, if I would pray Hebrews 13:21, it would go as follows: "God of peace, may You equip Andrea with everything good for doing Your will, and may You work in Andrea what is pleasing to You, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever."
Bible reading and prayer--they are basic, but essential. And especially in life's chaos, they connect me with Jesus in the way my soul longs for. I hope these suggestions point you to tools that will be helpful to you, or spark your own creative ideas that give a boost to your spiritual health this summer.
What apps or practices help you stay rooted in faith during chaotic times?
Andrea CatlettAndrea Catlett, MA, is a former pastor and has served a wide variety of ministries. She currently serves as a chaplain with Fallen Sparrow Spiritual Care. Through her education and experience, she has found prayer to be her constant calling. As a special needs mom and being disabled herself, she naturally advocates for those who need their voice heard in the healthcare system or simply a fellow friend. Andrea is a past member of the Eden Spiritual Care board, and was also an Eden Spiritual Care class instructor. |  |
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