What is it?

Prayer is a conversation with God — both talking to God and listening to God.  God doesn’t need us to pray as much as we need to pray to stay connected to and focused on God.

Why is it useful?

Prayer helps us quiet our minds and focus on God. It’s an invitation for God to speak in our lives.  Every Christian needs some form of Prayer.

How to get started:

Try one of the following formats:

• Pray the Lord’s prayers each day. As you pray, focus on a few words or thoughts from the prayer each day, What new insights do you have?
• Pray by thanking God for things you are grateful for.
• Pray for God to help you with a pain in your life — perhaps a loss, a trauma, or a disappointment. God is not only interested in what you are doing, but how you are doing. Sometimes we need to get healthy before we can move on.
• Pray for peace and rest. Pray the 23rd Psalm. Focus on God “lying down in a green pasture.”  What would that look like for you today?
• Pray for a better relationship with someone. Seek God’s guidance. Perhaps God will guide you in the conversations you should have, the ways of reconciliation, or a new understanding of the situation.

What is it?

Just reading the Bible, the way you would read a novel.

Why is it useful?

We don’t always have to “study” the Bible. Sometimes it’s nice to just read it. The Psalms are poetry, you can read them just to relate to the feelings being expressed. The New Testament has a number of letters written to early churches, you can read them like a letter written to you.  When we read the Bible, we learn what God is like, what our human struggles are, and how our lives can be in a strong and joyful relationship with God.

How to get started:

Choose a book of the Bible, get in a comfortable position, and start reading!

What is it?

Bible study is reading the Bible — often in a group or with a guide of some kind — to try to find the deeper significance or meaning underneath the story.  This might include learning about the context in which the Scripture was written, such as when and where it was written, the customs and culture of the time, what comes before and after the scripture in the flow of the Bible. etc.

Why is it useful?

When we study the Bible, we get a fuller picture of what it’s trying to communicate to us.

How to get started:

• If you’d like to try Bible Study on your own, choose a section of scripture and ask these three questions:
  • What does this passage say about God?
  • What does this passage say about people?
  • What does this passage about the relationship between God and people?
• Check your church newsletter for information on current or upcoming group Bible Study opportunities.
• Let your youth leader or Sunday School teacher know that you’re interested in a group Bible Study and then follow through when they start one.
• Find a small-group Bible Study curriculum that appeals to you and find a few friends that are willing to do it with you. Ask your youth leader or pastor for suggestions on studies that they recommend.

What is it?

Journaling can be reflection, record keeping, or a combination of both. People do all kinds of journals. In journals people write their thoughts, prayers, experiences, and feelings.

Why is it useful?

Journaling has two nice features;  1) writing helps us organize and express what’s on our mind and 2) writing provides a record we can return to remember and reflect on the past from our new point of view.

How to get started:

People have very different ways of processing their thoughts and feeling and putting those into words – some work best putting pen to paper while others prefer to type on a computer.  Whatever way is most helpful for you is the right way for you.  Remember to give yourself a distraction-free, quiet environment so that your thoughts can focus and flow freely.

If you’re not sure what to write, the SOAP method can be helpful:

Scripture:  Choose a passage from the Bible and write out every word. Be sure to include the book, chapter, and verse.

Observation: What is happening in the verse you’re studying? What words stand out to you? Is there a theme or any patterns that you notice?

Application:  What is God saying to you through these words today? What changes do you need to make because of them? How can you apply what you’ve read to your life?

Prayer: If God has revealed something to you through Scripture, pray about it. If there is something you need to confess, pray about it. If there are prayer requests for yourself or others that bubble up, pray about those too.  Write out your prayers and consider dating the entry to look back on later.

Another idea is to make a Gratitude Journal. Writing out your thanks opens your eyes to the work of God in your life. It reminds you of blessings that you may have forgotten or ignored. It opens your heart to praise God and give thanks for all that He is doing in and through you.

What is it?

Expressing our thoughts and feelings through creating something.

Why is it useful?

Connections to God and to your true self doesn’t always need to be done with words. In fact, words can sometimes get in the way. Painting, music, dance, and other forms of creative expression all hold opportunities to connect to God.  God doesn’t always speak in words, and you don’t need to be limited to words, either.

How to get started:

It’s likely that you have an artistic method that you already know you enjoy. As a spiritual discipline, our artistic efforts don’t have to win competitions, be “the best,” or impress others.  The goal is the action of creating something with our mind, body, and soul that allows us to connect to our spiritual side while we are creating.  Whether you are dancing to praise or instrumental music, playing an instrument, singing, drawing, painting, or something else, do so in a way that connects you to and moves you towards the spirit of God.

What is it?

Reflection and meditation are a quiet focus on a thought, word, or image and helps us calm our mind down and focus.

Why is it useful?

Many of us live in busy places, with lots of human-made noise. We have lots to see and hear all the time. reflection and meditation help us move out of the moment and into a spiritual place where we can experience peace and direction from God.

How to get started:

There are no right or wrong ways to meditate, but all meditation includes creating a quiet, restful space where you can still your body and mind and pay attention to your thoughts.

Begin by being quiet before God, emptying your mind and heart of all of the busyness, anxiety, and challenges of the day. Do not be in a rush – you are seeking to enter the living presence of God. Like any other relationship, this takes time. During your time of meditation, you might choose a phrase to repeat silently that reminds you of God’s love, simply focus on keeping your “mind’s eye” blank so that God can fill that space.

What is it?

First of all, how do you pronounce it?? LECKS-ee-oh duh-VEE-nah. Literally translated as “sacred reading” or “divine reading,” lectio divina helps you pray using any piece of scripture.  First you read a piece of scripture (usually a few verses), then you reflect on what it says (maybe you notice the words or phrases that jump out to you the most). Next, you pray about what you read, and let that conversation with God sink in.

Why is it useful?

It’s not just Bible Study, not just meditation and not just prayer, but a combination!  Lectio Divina helps us slow down and catch the power and meaning of a piece of scripture.

How to get started:

Center yourself in a quiet place with your Bible ready.  Sit straight up, feet on the floor, hands in your lap or to your sides – this is important to attentive listening.  While this process can be restful, it is a time to be attentive to God’s voice.

LECTIO (Read) – 5-8 minutes

• Read through a short passage of scripture, multiple times. Read the same words both silently and out loud.
• Listen for a specific word or phrase that catches your attention.

MEDITATIO (Think) – 5-10 minutes

“Meditate” literally means “to gnaw,” as a dog gnaws on a bone.

• Actively think about your word or phrase
• Ask yourself why this word or phrase is important.  How does it make you feel?
• Look at the word or phrase from different angles.  Gnaw on the passage.

ORATIO (Pray) – 10-15 minutes

• Ask “God, why did you give me this word? Why do I feel this way about this phrase?”
• Listen for a response. Follow your active thoughts, not your distraction thoughts.  Be patient.

CONTEMPLATIO (Live) – 5-10 minutes

• Rest in the love and presence of God, and feel his closeness.
• Thank God for this word and this sacred time.

 – Adapted from Quiet Down: Lectio Divina in Youth Ministry https://network.crcna.org/youth-ministry/quiet-down-lectio-divina-youth-ministry

What is it?

The Examen was a practice of St. Ignatius, and was a prayerful reflection on the day. It traditionally includes 5 parts — 1. Becoming aware of God’s presence, 2. Reviewing the day with gratitude, 3. Paying attention to your emotions, 4. Choosing one feature of the day and praying from it, and 5. Looking toward tomorrow.

Why is it useful?

The Examen is a good (but sometimes hard!) way of keeping us focused on God and striving for daily improvement in how we follow Jesus with our lives.

How to get started:

Center yourself in a quiet space and silence your cell phone and other distractions.

1. Recall you are in the presence of God. God never leaves us, but we sometimes forget that God is there. Stop and remember God’s presence around you, in your circumstances, and acknowledge the work of the Holy Spirit in you. Before moving on, write down any thoughts, feelings, or observations as you reconnect to God’s presence.
2. Look at your day with gratitude. Sometimes it’s easier to name what is going wrong in our lives, to get bogged down in our failures, to lay blame on others. This step reminds to focus on what is good and right and to remember that we are not in charge – God is.
3. Ask for help from the Holy Spirit. It is important to intentionally invite the Holy Spirit to guide this time. Acknowledge that we our dependent on God in all things.
4. Review your day. This step will take the most time. Approach this step like you are watching a movie of your day. Remember the sights, sounds, conversations, and feelings. Ask yourself:
   1. What were the highs – the most life-giving?
   2. What were the lows – the most joy-depleting?
   3. When did I fail?
   4. When did I love?
   5. Do I notice any habits or patterns, good or bad?
   6. When did I see God today?
5. Reconcile and resolve. This final step points us to course correction, righting wrongs, and a fresh start.  It points us back to the abundant life Jesus offers. It reminds us that God’s love never runs out.  Take some time to consider where you might need to reconcile with God or another person, and resolve to make things right as quickly as possible.

Complete your Daily Examen by reciting the Lord’s Prayer.

– Adapted from Igantian Examen https://fulleryouthinstitute.org/articles/ignatian-examen

What is it?

Devotions are usually short readings or reflections (often a short story about someone’s day)  with few scripture verses and a prayer.

Why is it useful?

Devotions are a good way to spend a few minutes every day focused on God.  They’re often helpful in showing us how other people see and feel God moving in their lives.

How to get started:

There are lots of daily devotionals books and booklets to choose from, including Upper Room.  Choose one, then set an alarm for the same time every day that will allow you 15-20 minutes to read through the devotion text (and accompanying scripture text, if included) and reflect.

What is it?

Centering prayer is silence and focus on just one word — bringing your mind back to your one word any time you notice it drifting.

Why is it useful?

Praying on just one word helps focus and quiet your mind.  Centering prayer is often used in preparation for some other kind of prayer.

How to get started:

1. Quiet down. The best posture is upright in a straight-backed chair so your head is well supported by your spine. Your eyes should be gently closed so that you don’t waste energy seeing. To relax, you might try breathing slowly three times: exhale, take in fresh air, hold it, then exhale again.
2. Move towards God with you. Think only of God who is living deep within you and ponder his love for you. Be present to God – let his overwhelming love and goodness attract you. Rest in God’s presence.
3. Respond with a prayer word (or phrase). Some suggestions are “Beloved,” “I love you,” “My Lord and my God,” and “I long for you.” Repeat the prayer word or phrase slowly in your mind.
4. Attend to God and enjoy his presence. When you know you are aware of things other than God, use your prayer word to bring you back. Don’t stop to think about how you’re doing. Let God take care of that. Just focus on giving your loving attention.
5. Pray a prayer. Use the Lord’s Prayer or other prayer to make the transition out of centering prayer.

– Adapted from the Catholic Prayer Corner http://www.kathleenglavich.org/articles/teaching-centering-prayere-heart/

What is it?

Most breath prayers are six to eight syllables and fit easily into one inhale and exhale. Some examples are “(on inhale) Help me rest; (on exhale) give me peace,” “(on inhale) Make clear my way, (on exhale) O Holy One,” “(on inhale) Out of darkness, (on exhale) into light,” or “(on inhale) Fill me, Spirit, (on exhale) with your love.”

Why is it useful?

Breath prayers are a modern adaptation of the ancient prayer of the heart. We create them to express our deepest needs. They help us keep God in the foreground amidst our daily living and clarify our relationship with the holy.

How to get started:

Do an internet search for a few breath prayers and make a list of 5 that appeal to you.  Decide on a time of day, a specific action (like brushing your teeth), or an emotion that you often feel that will help you remember to take 1 minute to do one of your breath prayers.

What is it?

The Daily Office is like a series of worship services throughout the day that combine scripture, liturgy (set prayers or readings), and songs.  It’s based on the rhythm of daily prayer in monastic communities and is still used in churches today — maybe you’ve heard of “Vespers”, which is the evening prayer time.

It’s most associated with Anglican, Episcopal, and Catholic worship.  It might make you feel a little monkish, but many people have found the set structure of the Daily Office to be deeply calming and holy.

Why is it useful?

“The idea of some set form of Office…is based on a realistic assessment of human beings and of our prayer potential. We do not always pray with spontaneity and ease, nor should our prayer depend on the way we feel.  Prayer which is so based on feelings is unstable and lacks depth. The Office is a form of prayer which is independent of our feelings, though, of course it is often accompanied by, and arouses, deep feelings and emotion.”

— Kenneth Leech, True Prayer

How to get started:

There are apps and online versions of the Daily Office to make following the structure easier.  Check out BCP: Daily Office Readings app or https://www.sacredspace.ie/ website.

Here are some tips from United Methodist Discipleship Ministries:

• Establish the habit of praying at least twice a day: in the morning and at evening, however brief the time.
• Memorize simple short prayers to pray at the seven traditional hours of the day (sunrise, morning, mid-morning, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, bedtime). This way you can pray the hours even if you are driving or doing homework.
• Make a mental habit of imagining that you are joining with the whole church when you pray in the morning, evening, or at night.
• Pray in a sacred space: at church or at home, create a space with the necessary prayer resources, an icon, candle, or other items that will make the space God’s and yours.
• Avoid strain: make it a discipline but don’t overexert yourself. Do what you can in simple ways to pray the day with Christ. The daily office is not a chore; it is a delight that brings focus to the rest of the hours and moments of the day.
• Make good use of the Psalms, the Bible’s prayer book. Most of the forms of the daily office include praying the Psalms as part of the practice. You may want to dwell with one psalm for the whole week — or one for the morning and another for the evening. Whatever you do, listen for the words that resonate with your spirit and carry them gently on your heart and in your mind through the day.
• Play or sing music for daily prayer. For example, the Taizé community in France has produced simple short songs suitable for daily prayer. Most current hymnals include some of these. You can purchase Taizé music from I.A. There are numerous Taizé songs in The Faith We Sing hymnal.

– adapted from Discipleship Ministries 

What is it?

In his book Wrestling with Rest: Inviting Youth to Discover the Gift of Sabbath, Nathan Stucky writes,

“Imagine. We are God’s beloved children—not because of what we’ve achieved or what we ever will achieve, not because we’ve earned it, not because we got enough work done, not because our ducks are in a row, but because God graciously called us, formed us, and named us his children. Because of this, we may actually lay down our burdens. We may set aside our work and the lesser gods that tempt us to look to them as the source of our identity. We may lay down even our Sabbath rules and regulations, and we may behold the work of God from creation to Exodus to Incarnation to Cross to Resurrection. And we may dare to hope that the rest we now enter is but a foretaste of the eternal rest, when we will all stand before God’s throne and never again question that we are God’s beloved children.”

While this practice doesn’t stand out in our culture today, it must be a big deal to God, because it is one of the 10 Commandments. So what’s the big deal? The sabbath is an idea from God that we should take a day a week and rest. During this resting we can worship God, study the Bible, reflect on God, spend time with family and friends, and celebrate our lives with God and with each other. It is kind of like a weekly date with God. God doesn’t need the sabbath, we do.

Why is it useful?

Sabbath helps us rest, and it helps us recognize that we are beloved by God regardless of our productivity.

How to get started:

Nathan Stucky’s words remind us that resting, simply being, allowing our bodies and minds to be rejuvenated, is not laziness.  It is admitting that God is in charge and we are not.  That God does not love us for what we do, but for who we are. That we do not have to be busy 24/7 to be worthy and good.

It’s easy to reduce Sabbath to a set of rules – what to do or what NOT to do, but according to Stucky that entirely defeats the purpose of the gift of rest.  Instead, think of these things:

What is it that tempts us to believe our lives depend on it? Work? School? Technology? Busyness? Achievement? College applications?

What if our Sabbath practice begins by naming that these things have become gods? While these lesser gods can potentially be good things, sometimes we have to put them down in order to experience Sabbath rest.

On the Sabbath (whether that is Sunday, Tuesday, or 3:15pm on a Friday, put down something that it appears your life depends on, so that you may know that your life ultimately depends on God’s grace, action, and provision, not on your endless striving.

What is it?

Simply put, fasting is intentionally not doing or eating something for a period of time.  It’s a self-imposed sacrifice. There are lots of different ways to fast — it could be skipping a certain meal every week, or it could involve eating less of (or none of!) something for days or weeks or months. Fasting is usually associated with Lent, but can be done any time of year.

Why is it useful?

Fasting helps us focus more intentionally on God and can remind us of the magnitude of Christ’s incredible sacrifice for us.

How to get started:

• Make different choices. For a period of time, choose healthy foods for snacking. Carrots instead of cookies.  Water instead of soda.
• Abstain from sweets. Eliminate sugar-based foods from your diet.
• Digital Fast. Choose certain digital devices (or all) to go without for a set period. Enlist family members to help you stay accountable.  Make a plan ahead of time for how to accomplish certain tasks while you’re without a device to assist with wake up, schedules, schoolwork, etc.
• Grow from short fasts to more extensive. Start small and build as you grow your spiritual muscles for God.
• Remember why you’re fasting:
  • Fasting must center on God.
  • Fasting reminds us that God is our provider of every good and perfect gift.
  • Fasting helps us focus.
  • Fasting is a discipline, not a punishment.

– Adapted from “Fasting: Teaching Kids Spiritual Disciplines   https://kidsministry.lifeway.com/2014/01/02/fasting-teaching-kids-spiritual-disciplines/

You can also participate in a fasting experience with your youth group or other group of peers.  Here is one model that emphasizes loving God and fighting hunger: https://www.30hourfamine.org/

What is it?

Small groups are three or more people gathered together to increase their relationship with God. There are many different options for how small groups function; some are structured and have a curriculum like a class, and some have very little structure and focus their conversation around a particular topic, idea, or theme.  You may have heard the term “Covenant Group,” where a group of 4-8 people agree to a set of rules (promises) for how their group will function. These groups typically focus more on “how is it with your soul” type questions than general Bible or book studies.

You might hear other names for Christian small groups, like classes, cells, bands (not that kind of band!), and circles (hey, that one sounds familiar…).

Why is it useful?

Small groups provide motivation, guidance, and someone to help keep us on track.  They’re also nice because they really show us that we’re not going through anything alone, and that everyone struggles from time to time.

How to get started:

As with a Bible Study, your church, pastor, or youth leader can help you find a small group that meets your needs.  Or, you might consider starting one!

Tips for starting a small group:

1. Determine the goal – growing in faith, fellowship, or prayer, or a combination of the three?
2. Personally invite people to join you – identify a small number of people and invite them to participate
3. Determine a regular meeting time – everyone should know the time commitment before they say yes to being a part of the small group
4. Find a program or curriculum that fits your goal – ask a pastor or youth leader for ideas
5. Commit to the program – start with short term commitments, maybe a 6-week book study instead of an all-semester commitment, and then resolve to do the tasks required and have the group members hold each other accountable
6. Evaluate, make adjustments, and keep going – be open to communicating well among the group members – if something feels “off” or isn’t working well, talk it through.

– Adapted from “A Teen’s DIY Guide to Starting a Small Group” https://lifeteen.com/blog/teens-diy-guide-starting-small-group/

What is it?

Memorizing scripture is choosing a verse or short section of the Bible and learning it by heart.

Why is it useful?

When everything else around you feels crazy, it’s nice to have some memorized words that are always with you to help you focus on God.

How to get started:

1. Choose a verse to memorize that speaks to something in your life right now.
2. Start small.
3. Write it down (multiple times).
4. Say it out loud.
5. Incorporate the verse into your prayers.
6. Put it everywhere (journal, desktop, phone screen, etc)
7. Use music to help.
8. Make it a game (flashcards anyone?)
9. Translate the verse into a different language.
10. Repeat, repeat, repeat.

– Adapted from Ten Tips for Memorizing Bible Verses https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2013/03/ten-tips-for-memorizing-bible-verses/

What is it?

Most communities have a number of ways to serve others. You can join an effort that needs volunteers like a community food bank, or helping with meals for the homeless or food insecure. You can also look for persons in need in your own community and find a way to help out.

Why is it useful?

Service is another way Christians have discerned their calling over the years. In a way, it works the opposite of how we would normally think. Rather than finding our calling by focusing on ourselves, we focus on others who are in need of something we can provide. By focusing on — and doing for — others, we give God room to spark an interest in us that helps to shape our understanding God’s purposes for us.

How to get started:

Ask your youth leader or pastor for any needs that they know of that you, or a group of youth, might be able to address.

Read your church newsletter to discover ways you can plug in and serve others, both within your congregation and in the community too.

Look online to find helping agencies in your community – many of them will list needs on their websites.

What is it?

Retreats are time spent away from our daily life. They’re usually in a pleasant place with a chance to be outside at least some of the time. Most retreats last at least a couple of days.

Why is it useful?

Retreats are a great way to take a break from our normal routines in life and provide a chance to gain a new perspective.

How to get started:

Watch for opportunities to participate in a youth or church-sponsored retreat, or ask your youth leader if one is planned.

If you have trouble finding an official retreat opportunity, plan a mini-retreat for yourself by scheduling a several-hour chunk of time that you can get outside, maybe to a peaceful park, where you can unplug and spend some uninterrupted time with God.

What is it?

A pilgrimage is a trip to place with significant meaning to your faith and your relationship with God. More formally, they are trips to places of importance to your entire faith, not just to you — like Bethlehem or Jerusalem.  Some pilgrimages are as much about the journey as the destination. Pilgrimages aren’t usually something done very often; maybe only a few times in a lifetime.

Why is it useful?

Pilgrimages offer an escape from our daily lives like retreats, but can be a way for us to commit to a physical journey in the same way we’re committing to a spiritual journey to follow God.

How to get started:

Pilgrimages usually take a lot of planning and time. As a young person, it might not be possible for you to set off on a spiritual pilgrimage at this point in your life. But, you might do some research on pilgrimages and add this discipline to your spiritual bucket list for the future.

If you’d like to gain some insight on what a pilgrimage experience was like for one young seeker, read a post written by 23-year-old Daniel, who had the opportunity to walk part of the Camino de Santiago in Spain.

If you’d like to experience a pilgrimage yourself, there are also some “virtual pilgrimage” experiences available – we recommend this one, or you could try doing an internet search to find another.  Or perhaps there’s a physical pilgrimage you can take to a place that is deeply meaningful for you.