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Tips for a deeper relationship with Jesus

Katie Scott | Catholic Herald

Father John C. Cregan, a former Marine lieutenant colonel in
residence at the St. Rose of Lima Priests’ Retirement Villa
in Annandale, serves as a spiritual director to seminarians
at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md. The retired
priest describes
spiritual direction
as “developing and strengthening a
relationship with Jesus under the guidance of the Holy
Spirit.”

His suggestions for deepening a relationship with Jesus:

Pick a time to pray

Discipline is necessary for a strong prayer life, so select a
specific time to pray each day. People have busy lives,
Father Cregan said, but “don’t cheat on the Lord” with
excuses.

Tend to your health

In order to grow spiritually, it’s “important to take care of
yourself physically,” he said. Getting enough rest,
exercising and eating well help “so you don’t get overwhelmed
by physical limitations,” he said. Bodily health is connected
to prayer life and “discerning God’s call in your life.”

Chose a prayer word

Pick a word to say as a short prayer when stress and anxiety
become overwhelming. For example, saying the word “Jesus”
might mean: “Lord, have mercy,” “Lord, forgive me,” or “Lord,
help me.”

Having a prayer word “can make the whole day a prayer,” he
said.

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