Category Archives: Prayer

Getting (Sort of) Ready to Celebrate Christ’s Birth

Posted on November 29, 2013 by Esther Hizsa

In two days Advent begins and with it comes that stress-inducing question: Are you ready for Christmas? Those words produce a flurry of images—shopping, decorating, baking, Christmas cards, and list making—that sends chills of expectations through my soul. I’m overwhelmed … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christmas, Poetry, Popular Posts, Poverty of Spirit, Prayer | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Seeing

Posted on November 1, 2013 by Esther Hizsa

A friend of mine recently returned from a three hundred kilometre pilgrimage in the United Kingdom. She and her husband walked twenty-five kilometres a day, much of it in silence. As they walked, she experienced a deepening stillness that enabled … Continue reading →

Posted in Mindfulness, Prayer | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Will I Open My Heart to God?

Posted on October 25, 2013 by Esther Hizsa

 Blessed Trinity, I receive your love, your presence and this day as a gift from you. I open my heart to you. Please lead me deeper into your transforming love as we live these next hours together. Amen. Every morning, along with others … Continue reading →

Posted in Mystical, Prayer, Stories | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Praying in the Cracks

Posted on October 18, 2013 by Esther Hizsa

I went to my first spiritual director a dozen years ago while I was studying at Regent College. After a few sessions my director said gently, “You have a lot of noisy, discouraging tapes playing in your head. I can’t compete with … Continue reading →

Posted in Popular Posts, Prayer, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Settling Accounts With My Fears

Posted on September 27, 2013 by Esther Hizsa

I hang up the phone and bite my lip. Did I say too much? Push too hard? Why did she have to hang up so suddenly? I took a risk and challenged her perspective; now I fear the worst. I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Stories | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment