Discernment, especially in moments of significant decision-making, is one of the most profound spiritual exercises we undertake. Whether it’s about a major life transition, relational shift, or vocational call, the choices we make ripple through our lives and the lives of others. As a progressive pastor in the United Church of Christ (UCC), I often find myself walking alongside people in these liminal spaces, where the unknown meets possibility.
When we wrestle with big decisions, we are navigating not just personal challenges but also broader cultural narratives that shape our understanding of identity, vocation, and purpose. What does it mean to discern faithfully in this context? How do prayer and study become not just tools but companions in this sacred work?
Discernment as Sacred Resistance
Discernment, when done through a lens of liberation and inclusivity, becomes an act of sacred resistance. Too often, people are told that their struggles or decisions must fit a particular theological or cultural mold. We’ve had scriptures and traditions misinterpreted or used to restrict freedom. For this reason, both prayer and study are critical in the process of discernment—they are forms of reclaiming our agency, our voices, and our spiritual authority.
Discernment is not passive. It requires active engagement with our innermost selves and with God. In a world that pushes conformity, seeking spiritual guidance and clarity is an act of courageous authenticity. But that authenticity does not come easily; it requires both the vulnerability of prayer and the intellectual rigor of study.
The Role of Prayer: Intimacy and Trust
In progressive Christian circles, we often redefine prayer as more than just a set of petitions offered up to a distant deity. Prayer is an intimate dialogue, a dynamic flow of presence, and, perhaps most importantly, a space of vulnerability. In prayer, we learn to trust the wisdom that already resides within us—what some theologians refer to as the “inner knowing” or the divine spark that exists in all beings.
When we pray about a significant choice, we are not only looking for clarity; we are also allowing the One who created us to fully see, fully know, and fully love us. This type of prayer invites us to let go of the societal expectations that have been placed upon us. It helps us disentangle our decisions from harmful narratives that say we are “less than” or that our desires, identities, and dreams are invalid. When we pray, we practice radical trust—not just in God, but in the Spirit’s ability to guide us from within.
The Role of Study: Engaging Tradition and Expanding Horizons
Alongside prayer, study is a crucial component of discernment. We have a deep and complex relationship with scripture and tradition, often marked by tension. For many of us, the Bible has been both a source of solace and challenge. Study allows us to wrestle with these texts, engage with them critically, and reclaim them in ways that honor our experience.
When we study scripture and theology in the context of discernment, we must do so with a hermeneutic of liberation. We read from the margins, identifying with stories of exodus, exile, and resurrection. Our reading of the text is not a detached, purely academic exercise; it’s a lived engagement with sacred stories that resonate with our own.
Study also means listening to voices that expand our theological imagination. Feminist theologians, Black liberation scholars, and progressive theologians offer us new ways of understanding God’s movement in the world. For example, theologians like Marcella Althaus-Reid remind us that theology must be rooted in lived experience, especially the experiences of those who have been marginalized. To study is to take seriously the voices of the oppressed, to bring them into our discernment process, and to allow them to challenge and stretch our assumptions about God’s call on our lives.
The Intersection of Prayer and Study: A Progressive Praxis of Discernment
When prayer and study come together, they form a progressive praxis of discernment—a way of navigating life’s major decisions that is both deeply spiritual and intellectually rigorous. Prayer keeps us grounded in God’s love and presence, while study pushes us to engage critically with the texts, traditions, and voices that shape our theological frameworks.
In this process, we allow prayer and study to inform one another. In moments of stillness, prayer brings forth questions that we might explore further in our study. Similarly, study can illuminate new pathways for prayer, revealing dimensions of God and ourselves that we hadn’t previously considered.
This is particularly important when discerning major life choices. The decisions we make about our lives—whether about relationships, work, or community—are often more than just personal choices; they are connected to broader spiritual and social realities. Discernment, then, is not just about figuring out what to do next; it’s about claiming our place in the broader narrative of God’s justice and love.
Practical Steps for Discernment
So, how do we begin? What might a progressive praxis of discernment look like in practical terms?
- Create space for prayer: Set aside regular time to sit with God, not just in a posture of asking for clarity, but in a posture of being seen and loved. Allow prayer to be a space where your authentic self is present.
- Engage with scripture critically: Seek out interpretations of scripture that honor your lived experience. Look for commentaries and theological works that speak from a place of liberation, and allow these voices to challenge the dominant narratives you’ve internalized.
- Listen to the marginalized: Whether through books, podcasts, or conversations, let the voices of those who are often silenced guide your discernment process. Their perspectives will expand your understanding of how God moves in the world.
- Trust your body’s wisdom: Our bodies are often the first to tell us when something is right or wrong. In discernment, pay attention to how your body reacts to different options. Sometimes, the clarity we seek intellectually is already present in our physical and emotional responses.
- Seek community: Discernment does not have to be a solitary act. Surround yourself with people who affirm your journey and who can provide feedback, encouragement, and accountability.
Conclusion: Embracing the Messiness
At its core, discernment is a messy, beautiful, and deeply spiritual process. There is no linear path, no quick formula that will provide easy answers. But in the messiness, there is also grace—a grace that meets us in our questions, our doubts, and our struggles.
This grace reminds us that our process of discernment is not just about finding the “right” answer, but about staying faithful to our own unique journey. In the intersection of prayer and study, we find the tools we need to navigate life’s big decisions with integrity, courage, and love.
Let us trust that God is with us in this sacred work, calling us to be fully ourselves, and guiding us into deeper truth. Amen.
