Q&A Home > S > Spiritual Growth

• How can I grow spiritually? I'm trying to pray, repent, confess, take communion; but I feel like I'm not moving forward. I may read a spiritual book and then feel excited to follow what the book says. However, this excitement only lasts for a few days after which I go back to who I was. Please can you lead me?
• I am going through a very positive spiritual stage; and I need much guidance so that I can continue and persevere. How do I truly benefit from, strengthen my prayers, and grow positively in them? How should I read the Holy Bible to benefit from it the most? What is the appropriate way to speak to God and how is it that I can converse with Him and feel His presence at all times? When I am tempted to commit any sin, how should I go about overcoming it? How do I overcome Satan when he tries to discourage; me or prevent me from continuing to draw closer to God? How does one remain humble after feeling God's presence? I would greatly appreciate both the practical and the spiritual methods for doing such things.
• My desire was always to grow spiritually. I thought what was hindering me was my confessor father (henceforth referred to by Abouna #1); so I went to Abouna #2. However, in spite of the fact that I learned a lot from him, I have lost simplicity and humbleness. With #1, and because of his style, I grew spiritually without effort. I was joyful and always wanting to seek God and staying blameless. Abouna #2 tends to deal with things rather emotionally. However, I told myself to just stay a period with #2 before going back to #1. I am beginning to question my motives: am I really seeking God and monasticism for their own sake; or was it just the atmosphere my #1 provided that made me do that. Also, #2 is very verbal and talks about people and praises their good works openly. I feel my spiritual life is going down the hill. I could easily go long periods of time without praying the Agpeya at all. I don't fear anymore because I only used to, due to Abouna #1 making me fear. I do not know what to do. I know for sure that going back to #1 will change things. However, do I practice spiritual growth for Abouna's sake or for God's? What does Your Grace think is the more proper way of dealing with this situation?
• What is Your Grace's advice to anyone whose spiritual life is never "getting off the ground" in terms of repentance and spiritual growth.