Spiritual Formation Articles

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What is Fortitude?

What is the virtue of fortitude? What can we learn from those who display it? How can we develop this trait? Richard Foster helps answer these questions.

Richard J. Foster

Featured September 27, 2022 (Original Jul 2001 )

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Bring Anger under the Yoke of Reason

We live in an angry world, but the 4th century writings of Ambrose of Milan remind us that this is not a new thing at all. St. Ambrose explores the age-old question of how to set aside wrath and indignation when we experience anger.

Aurelius Ambrosius

Featured September 27, 2022 (Original Sep 2022 )

On Love and Nonviolence

When his home was bombed in 1956 with his wife and young child inside, King chose to “confront the problem with love.” Spiritual discipline is needed to cultivate restraint and stay committed to non-violence.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Featured September 26, 2022 (Original Sep 2022 )

The Kingdom is Calling

Chris Webb helps us understand a concept at the heart of Jesus’ teaching, preaching, and mission —the Kingdom of God.

Chris Webb

Featured September 19, 2022 (Original Sep 2017 )

Learning to Pray Again

“Knowing about prayer is not enough,” writes Emilie Griffin. “We need to give ourselves to prayer.” In this excerpt, Emilie writes about the way that a healthy image of God undergirds prayer.

Emilie Griffin

Featured September 19, 2022 (Original Dec 2002 )

Pray Like You’re Going to Die

This brief selection from The Cloud of Unknowing encourages an unexpected means to deeper prayer. As you read, take heed of the author’s advice and allow yourself to pray as if your end comes before the “Amen.”

The Unknown Author

Featured September 19, 2022 (Original Jan 2000 )

Screwtape on Submission

In this excerpt, letter six, Screwtape encourages a counterfeit version of the discipline of submission—resignation “to a dozen different and hypothetical fates.”

C.S. Lewis

Featured September 19, 2022 (Original Jan 1942 )

Building a Bridge between Protestants and Catholics

Trevor Hudson writes about how the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius provide an opportunity for Catholics and Protestants of all stripes to find “common ground” by listening to each other’s experiences of prayer.

Trevor Hudson

Featured September 12, 2022 (Original Sep 2022 )

Loving One Another

As “those whom God has joined,” followers of Christ must love one another and beware of attitudes that breed disunity. These and other exhortations from John Wesley teach us about the loving bonds within the Body of Christ.

John Wesley

Featured September 12, 2022 (Original Jun 2005 )

Daring to Follow the Spirit’s Lead

Richard Foster looks backward as well as forward with prophetic attention to the Spirit’s movement in modern times—a vision that guides and undergirds Renovaré’s efforts to connect, deepen, and renew the people of God.