What does it mean to be in relationship with God? Is there just one right way to pray? How can you pray—personally, with your family, or in your congregation?
These and many other questions are addressed in Hungryhearts, the quarterly publication of the Office of Spiritual Formation. Through it, hungry hearts have been fed, and questions on many minds have been answered: (All articles referenced below can be downloaded as a PDF format from the Office of Spiritual Formation.)
Is there a Presbyterian spirituality? Indeed there is! See “Reformed Spirituality at the Millennium” (Spring 1999), “Ten Years of Feeding Hungryhearts” (Spring 2002), “Deepening Our Roots” (Fall 2004), or “Wonderful Communion” on John Calvin and mysticism (Winter 2004).
Who might be our role models for a prayer-filled life? What about Thomas Merton (Fall 2002), Howard Thurman (Fall 2003), Mary, the mother of Jesus (Winter 2003), or Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Summer 2005)? Perhaps the Celtic Christians (Spring 1999) or those living in monasteries (“Benedictine Spirituality” Fall 2000) offer us a way to follow?
In whom can faith depend? A deeper relationship with God can be fostered not only in individual adults, but also in children (Spring 2004) and even congregations (Spring 2003). In Fall 2005 we will explore how those who are dying—and those who accompany them—might also be molded more closely into the likeness of Christ.
How can we discern God’s will for our lives? “Group Discernment” (Summer 1995), “Spiritual Direction as Choosing Life” (Spring–Summer 1996), “Discernment” (Summer 2002), or “Acts of Discernment” (Winter 2002) may be just the beginning for sorting out the wheat from the chaff.
What are spiritual disciplines we might practice? There are labyrinths (Winter 1996 and Summer 2000) and body prayers (Winter 1996), forms of daily prayer (Summer 2003), and short prayers (Spring 2005). Sabbath keeping (Fall 1999) or justice seeking (Summer 2004) may be God’s gift to you. Centering prayer (Summer/Fall 2001) or music (Spring 1997) may be the door of your soul upon which Christ knocks.
In Hungryhearts we celebrate lives that have been changed, and explore the ways in which the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is discovering a spirituality that is both Reformed and always being reformed. This is a spirituality that feeds active ministries, emerges in prophetic preaching, and shapes church leadership.
Inside each issue of Hungryhearts you will also find book reviews, poetry, and other reader contributions—resources that can provide experience and wisdom as you journey with the Giver of all good things.
The Spiritual Formation Web site has current and archived issues of Hungryhearts, along with issues in Spanish on Howard Thurman (Fall 2003) and Mary (Winter 2003). This Web address is also the gateway to our national calendar of events, spiritual disciplines, and resources.
Through the many generous gifts we receive from our readers, Hungryhearts is available by a free subscription.
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