SPIRITUAL DIRECTION BRINGS FOCUS AND ILLUMINATION TO OUR JOURNEY WITH GOD

You may have heard of the term “spiritual direction.” But what is it, exactly?

According to the Benedictine Peace Center in Yankton, S.D., spiritual direction is defined as “an ancient practice of meeting regularly with a guide to reflect on your relationship with God. The spiritual director listens prayerfully, raises questions, and gently supports the directee. Spiritual direction helps one focus and intensify their journey with God.” This exact definition informs our own Spiritual Direction Ministry here at St. Peter’s. Martha Rapp and Rick Davis are the two certified spiritual directors who make up this ministry.

Martha has been a spiritual director for over a decade. She had a conversion experience in 2002 that started her on the path, and she completed her spiritual director certification in 2012.

“That experience changed my life,” she says. “I became aware that God is real and is absolute love. He wants to have a relationship with each and every one of us.”

Rick became certified in October 2020. With two spiritual directors as parishioners, he decided it was time to start a ministry. Spiritual direction is provided to individuals and small groups at no charge. Most people and groups meet once per month.

“The goal is to develop an intentional relationship with God,” Martha says. “It’s learning to see how God is active and present in our lives. It’s opening our hearts to enter into a transformative relationship with God.”

Rick says the opportunities for what to explore through spiritual direction are endless — maybe you want to improve your prayer life or become more aware of God’s presence in your life.

“You could be in a spiritual rut and looking for a way out or for ways to grow,” Rick says. “Maybe you’re questioning God’s will for your life. These are all great areas to pursue.”Martha and Rick say that going through spiritual direction takes a big commitment, but the rewards are truly impactful.“It’s a gentle, transformative process,” Martha says. “It opens us up to ourselves, other people, and creation as a whole. It’s so incredible. It changes how we see the world and think and choose to be informed by God.”

“Within the context of spiritual direction, a person has the opportunity to talk openly and confidently about their relationship with God and areas related to their prayer life,” Rick says. There are moments in Scripture, such as the appearance on the road to Emmaus, when Jesus went unrecognized — “but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him” (Luke 24:16).

In turn, spiritual direction can provide that bit of help that leads you to see God in your midst.

Martha says three people are working in a spiritual direction relationship — the companion, the person being companioned, and the Holy Spirit.

For more information on spiritual direction, please call the parish office at 217-222-3155. Office staff can connect you to Martha Rapp or Rick Davis.

Martha Rapp provides spiritual direction.

Rick Davis is a spiritual direction leaderhere at the parish.