I was recently asked to serve as Prayer Coordinator for the Spokane County Sheriff Chaplaincy team. I am not a prayer warrior by nature, but my prayer life is a daily work in progress. However, I jumped at the chance to take on this role for two reasons: One – I believe wholeheartedly in the power of prayer in our daily lives, and two – Accountability to you all. It will force me to keep prayer a daily priority, and for that I am grateful.
Back in July 2025, Pastor Josh (my lead pastor) challenged me to upend my 35-year routine of arriving early, staying late, and working my days off. He challenged me to intentionally focus on self-care – spiritual, physical, mental – all of it. – to be the best person and pastor (and now Chaplain) by actively staying connected to God.
He was teaching me about Spiritual Formation. In the book, Invitation to a Journey by Robert Mullholland, Mullholland defines Spiritual Formation as the process of being formed in the image of Christ for the sake of others. Matthew Chapter 22, verses 37-39 confirm Mulholland’s definition. “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’.”
How do we know that we are loving the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind? How do we know that we are moving in the right direction? We can take a moment and look at the characteristics of our relationships with other people. Are we more loving? Are we more understanding? Compassionate? Patient? Giving? Forgiving? Are we kinder than we were a year ago?
Mullholland puts it this way – Our relationships with others are not only the testing grounds of our spiritual life but also the place where our growth toward wholeness in Christ happens.
Another way to discern our spiritual growth is the Prayer of Examen. It is a quick but effective way to evaluate our day by guiding us through the little and big moments in our spiritual journeys. Ultimately, the Examen helps us become better listeners for and discerners of God’s presence in our lives. St. Ignatius of Loyola developed this in the 16th century. It’s a 5-step process you can do in the evening before bed, or even midday and at the end of the day. Here are the 5 steps
- What are you thankful for today? Think of what is important and name specific things you are thankful for from your day.
- Where did you notice God today? Identify times during the day where you encountered God or saw God at work in others.
- What stood out? Look at the moments that stood out to you – both positive and not so positive and review your responses to them.
- Seek Help. Review the areas that were exposed during the day where you need help, and ask God for help and grace for tomorrow.
- Looking Ahead. Look ahead to the next hours or tomorrow with hope and a fresh start.
As I close, I offer this straightforward Scripture from 1 Chronicles 16:11
“Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually.”
Prayer
Lord, you have asked this group of people to be calm in the storm. You have given us Isaiah 41:10 as a reminder that you are the true anchor – that our strength, our calm, our ability to comfort is from our connection to YOU. I pray that each of us will tuck the words of Isaiah 41:10 away and keep them in our hearts and minds for when we are called to duty.
“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely, I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” -Amen.