Pilgrim's Progress

I was a little overwhelmed with the amount of information shared in Foster's chapter on Formation Prayer. Entire books are written about the different models of Formation Prayer he summarized in ten pages. The one idea that stood out in my reading was the importance placed in progress. Steady progress is genuine and praiseworthy, and a worthy honor of unknown risks, diligent study, and endured lessons.

When I speak of formation prayer, I am talking not about perfectionism but about progress in the spiritual life.... I want to stress on the importance of progress, of growth, of change, of formation.
- Richard Foster “Prayer, Finding the Heart’s True Home.”

In John Bunyan’s "The Pilgrim's Progress," knowledge can be gained by learning from mistakes on the journey. But simply moving in itself does not make a traveler a pilgrim. The pilgrim must advance spiritually as forward momentum is gained towards a sacred place. In Part II, the pilgrimage is a communal activity. At each stop more pilgrims join and the group grows substantially, their strengths as a pilgrim involve reaching out to others. One of the truths learned on the journey is that spiritual existence should involve togetherness.

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, You have given each of us a pilgrimage that leads us on a sacred journey. At times our travels take us on solitary paths of reflection; other byways find us shoulder-to-shoulder with a band of adventurers. At each crossroad and meal shared, let us find a truth to receive and integrate into our understanding of your world. Let us never be satisfied to rest too long or become too comfortable in one station. Give us eyes to appreciate the beauty we pass along the way, and the wisdom to avoid dangerous hazards and costly detours. We are pilgrims seeking to follow our courses faithfully and diligently. We strive to progress a little further, day by day, growing towards reformation from our will to yours. Amen.