Spiritual Direction

Many of God's people are rediscovering the usefulness of meeting monthly with a "Spiritual Director," companion, or guide.  Spiritual Directors help us discern the activity of God in our lives.  They ask us, 'How is God present in your life and what is God saying to you?'  It can be both challenging and exciting to enter into such a relationship.  This is an opportunity to explore our inner life, deal with our "issues," be held accountable for our spiritual journey, and learn to be more honest with ourselves, others, and God.  

Spiritual direction is not psychotherapy, nor is it pastoral counseling, although at times it may feel like a counseling.  The ultimate goal of spiritual direction is to relate more consciously and respond more fully to God, who is always calling us into His presence and to renewed living.    

How do you find such a companion?  Begin by praying that God would lead you to the person He has in mind for you.  While Spiritual Directors are found in many Christian denominations, including the Lutheran church, the tradition and training has been most carefully preserved in the Roman Catholic (e.g. Jesuit, Benedictine, Franciscan Orders) and the Episcopalian Churches.  Therefore, the search for a spiritual director may begin at a diocese office or retreat center.  A partial listing can be found at www.sdiworld.org (Spiritual Directors International). 

Questions you may want to ask as you search for your Spiritual Director include:

  

•  Do I prefer a Catholic, Protestant, or Lutheran?

• Would a male or female director be best at this point in my spiritual journey? 
• Do I prefer an ordained or a layperson?
• What training and experience do those that I am considering have?
• Am I willing to commit to this spiritual discipline?

Then interview those you are considering, asking them about their own prayer lives.  Are they in spiritual direction themselves?  People cannot give to others what they are not doing for themselves.  It is important to find someone you can trust and respect, who will keep confidentiality, who will encourage and affirm you and yet be able to ask the hard questions.  In short, take your time to find a "good match."  Make your search prayerfully.

Once you feel comfortable that God has led you to your Spiritual Director, then covenant with him or her:

• How often will you meet?  Normally this involves one hour month.
• Is there a fee?  Typically, this is in the form of a contribution to their ministry ($30-50 per session) or retreat center.

• How long will the relationships continue?  It is useful to begin with a commitment of two or three months to "test the relationship" and then to make a longer-term commitment.  Remember that we aren't coming to solve our problems and then leave.  Discerning God's call and paying attention to our spiritual journey is a life-long process.  In other words, the relationship will continue as long as both people desire it.  It is helpful to reevaluate the relationship on an annual basis.

Spiritual direction is a “covenantal” relationship.  The director commits to be fully "present" for the other person during their sessions, to pray regularly for them, and to be faithful to their own spiritual journey.  The one seeking direction commits to a faithful prayer life, to an awareness of God's presence in their lives and the issues that need to be brought to the sessions, and to trust that God is at work in the process of direction.   Direction is best begun in a time of peace and stability, rather than when our lives are falling apart.

Through the gift of spiritual direction a person can become more centered in God, energized for service, and more attentive to God's working in and through their lives.