Spiritual Directors International learns from The Rev. Mary Earle, an Episcopal priest and spiritual director living in Texas, USA.

The Rev. Mary Earle talks about learning to pray and listening with more than the ears.

She is the author of Days of Grace: Meditations and Practices for Living with Illness, The Desert Mothers: Spiritual Practices from Women of the Wilderness, and Beginning Again: Benedictine Wisdom for Living with Illness.

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I have just been told that my second part-time job will be reduced significantly. I am making an attempt to stay current on all of my bills. I pray that God will provide for me like He does with the birds. I know in my heart He will. Please, Lord, help me release the fear...the fear of not having enough, the fear of the unknown, and the fear of change.

Christine Wicker reports about surprising results in a new poll: "PARADE’s survey reveals a nation looking heavenward—but with its feet firmly planted on the ground of modern life. Spiritually speaking, Americans are a very practical people, moderate and tolerant in ways that would have astonished our grandparents." 

The poll is designed around three primary questions:

• Do you believe in God?
• Do you pray?
• Do you believe in the afterlife?

Wicker goes on to write: "Spirituality also plays a role in our entertainment choices. There, too, Americans veered away from the mystical and weird. When asked to pick their favorite of these films involving spirituality—The Da Vinci Code, The Exorcist, The Omen, The Sixth Sense, The Ten Commandments, Ghost, and It’s a Wonderful Life—one out of every four people selected The Ten Commandments. It was the hands-down winner, showing us that old-time religion still rules supreme and unchallenged—at least at the movies."

Some results:

Religion's Purpose
40% say it holds the truth
22% say that religion has no place in their lives
19% say it helps teach morals and ethics to children

Reasons We Pray
72% pray for the well-being of others
60% pray for forgiveness
21% pray for material things

Our New Beliefs
82% would marry someone of a different faith
59% say that all religions are valid
24% say they are spiritual but not religious 

Click to read  How Spiritual Are We? by Christine Wicker

Take the PARADE Spirituality Poll. Add your opinion!