Spiritual Steps: Pray | Listen | Grow

This episode explores the idea of "bearing fruit" in the parable of the sower...which might not mean what we think it does!

What does it mean to follow a Christ who is often shrouded in mystery? 

The spiritual life of Jesus’s people follows the rhythm of being gathered and sent. Jesus gathered us together, and sends us out. He calls us into the world of mission, and then sends us home again. Mission and Prayer are so closely intertwined that a person fully engaged in the spiritual life can scarcely tell where one ends and one begins.    

An episode that I'm totally uncomfortable with. 

The journey with Jesus begins with his invitation. 

This episode is all about praying for your community by learning to pay attention to what's happening in your community.  host: Steven Hovater  

This may not be what you normally expect from an episode of Spiritual Steps, but I think it's important to have a conversation about what it means to experience intimacy with God during prayer, and how we manage our expectations of such experiences. 

This episode offers a way of praying that helps us develop our perspective. Sometimes you need to see the forest, and some times you need to see the trees. 

The context in which you read a text can be just as important as the context in which it was written. This episode, we'll learn to use that. Three exercises for opening up the reading of scripture by shifting your reading context.      Host: Steven Hovater

Try reading the gospels, one at a time, in single sittings. It takes a little longer than the normal way we encounter them, but it can enrich your understanding of Jesus and what it means to follow him.    Host: Steven Hovater    

Learn the practice of intentionally using your language—one of your most powerful tools—to bless other people.

Much of what we search for is wrapped in mystery—and yet, God’s spirit is still leading and guiding us. Here is an exercise in which, we practice listening. The spiritual exercise outlined in this episode is a sort of examen-like practice for discerning the leading of the holy spirit in our lives. I hope it's useful to you!  Please reach out on twitter (@stevenhovater), and subscribe in your podcast app of choice!

Praying for our enemies is a difficult—but highly transformative spiritual practice rooted in the teachings of Jesus.  In this episode, we talk about why that's important, and share some tips on how you can move towards that practice.   Host: stevenhovater (twitter: @stevenhovater web: stevenhovater.com facebook: @stevenhovaterpage)

Take advantage of the practice of short "snacks" of prayer in the middle of your day!     

This episode is about bouncing back when your prayer life takes a dive, and collapses. Don't be afraid to begin again! 

This episode is about the practice of praying with your body.  Host: Steven Hovater (twitter: @stevenhovater)

This episode is about developing your capacity for silence.  host: Steven Hovater (twitter: @stevenhovater)

Here are my top ten tips for building community...these are the best steps I know of for developing relationships with people.  host: Steven Hovater (twitter: @stevenhovater)

The practice of spiritual community is one of the most fruitful tools in Christian spirituality.  In this episode, we begin with an understanding of the foundations of spiritual community: Community is built on what we hold in common, what we share.    Host: stevenhovater (twitter: @stevenhovater web: stevenhovater.com)

Part of becoming a person of prayer is learning to explore andunderstand its limits, or perhaps it is more accurate to say theplaces where pure prayer intersects with the rest of ourlives.  I'd love to connect with you on twitter! Catch mehere: @stevenhovater!