Faith and Spirituality Activities

There are many ways to honor faith and spirituality throughout your time at Cal Lutheran. We offer these suggested practices in the hopes that one or two of them may be useful during Sacred Pause or any other moment of contemplation in your spiritual journey.

Connect With Sacred Text

Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina, meaning "divine reading," is a contemplative practice rooted in Christian monastic tradition that transforms sacred text into a personal and prayerful dialogue with God. Rather than approaching the text for study, this sacred reading unfolds in four steps: lectio (reading), meditatio (meditation), oratio (prayer), and contemplatio (contemplation). By slowly engaging with a passage, reflecting on its meaning, responding in prayer, and resting in God's presence, Lectio Divina deepens one's spiritual connection and fosters an intimate encounter with the divine. This practice, embraced by early Benedictine monks, remains a timeless method for spiritual growth, inviting believers to listen to God’s word with open hearts and minds.

Praying the Psalms

Praying through the Psalms is a powerful way to engage in heartfelt conversation with God, using the words of sacred text as a guide for worship, reflection, and petition. By first understanding the emotions and context behind each psalm, believers can personalize the verses, allowing them to shape their own prayers and deepen their connection to God's character. This practice involves reading and meditating on the Psalm, using its words for devotion, confession, thanksgiving, and requests for help, and making it a regular habit. Whether prayed individually or in community, the Psalms provide a rich language for expressing both joy and sorrow, drawing the heart closer to God in a rhythm of trust, praise, and surrender.

Local Houses of Worship

In addition to campus worship, houses of worship representing many different denominations and faiths are within an easy commute from Cal Lutheran's campus to help you find a house of worship where you feel at home. You can view our Local Houses of Worship page for more information about congregations, or contact Ryanne Rojas in the chapel office for questions.

Connect With the World

Praying the Headlines

Praying the headlines is a spiritual practice that transforms reading the news into an act of prayer, compassion, and hope. Instead of merely absorbing the weight of world events, approach each headline as a call to prayer, lifting up those affected by tragedy, injustice, or uncertainty. As you read, pause to pray for wisdom for leaders, comfort for the grieving, and strength for those in crisis. Rather than feeling overwhelmed by the brokenness in the world, this practice invites you to respond with faith, aligning your heart with God’s justice, mercy, and hope. In praying the headlines, you become a participant in God’s work, turning concern into action through the power of prayer.

Praying With Icons

Praying with icons is a contemplative practice that uses images as windows into divine presence, inviting deeper reflection and communion with God. As you sit before an icon, allow your gaze to rest gently upon it, not as mere artwork but as a spiritual doorway. Observe the colors, expressions, and symbols, letting them draw you into prayer. Rather than analyzing, engage with the image relationally, speaking to God, listening in stillness, or simply resting in the presence it evokes. This practice cultivates a sense of sacred encounter, using visual beauty to focus the heart and mind on divine mysteries, guiding prayer beyond words into silent awe and devotion.

Breath Prayer

Breath prayer is a simple yet powerful spiritual practice that synchronizes prayer with the rhythm of breathing, inviting a deep sense of presence and connection with God. As you inhale, silently speak or think a short phrase, such as “Lord, fill me with Your peace,” and as you exhale, release a burden or offer a surrendering phrase like “I trust in You.” This repetitive, meditative prayer quiets the mind, calms the body, and centers the soul, making space for divine presence in the midst of daily life. Whether practiced in moments of stress or stillness, breath prayer becomes a sacred rhythm, anchoring you in God’s peace with every inhale and exhale.

Connect With Nature

Labyrinth

Using a labyrinth is a contemplative practice that invites slow, intentional movement as a form of prayer or meditation. Begin at the entrance with a deep breath, setting an intention or offering a silent prayer. As you walk the winding path, let go of distractions, focusing on each step and embracing the journey rather than the destination. Pause at the center to reflect, pray, or simply rest in stillness, receiving any insights or peace that arise. When ready, follow the path back out, carrying with you a sense of clarity, renewal, or gratitude. The labyrinth serves as a sacred space for reflection, symbolizing the inward journey to the soul and the outward journey back into the world.

Nature Awe Walk

Nature Awe walk are a sacred practice of slowing down, immersing oneself in nature, and embracing rest as an act of worship. Unlike ordinary walks, they are not about reaching a destination but about being fully present—breathing deeply, noticing the beauty of creation, and allowing the soul to unwind. With each step, distractions fade, and the quiet invites reflection, gratitude, and communion with God. Whether alone or with others, a Nature Awe walk becomes a moving prayer, a reminder that rest is holy, and that in stillness and simplicity, we encounter the divine.

Walking Pausing Meditation

Walking pausing meditation is a mindful practice that blends movement with stillness, creating a rhythm of awareness and presence. As you walk slowly and intentionally, focus on each step, feeling the ground beneath you and syncing your breath with your pace. After several steps, pause, allowing yourself to fully take in the moment, noticing the sights, sounds, and sensations around you. In these pauses, reflect, offer a silent prayer, or simply rest in stillness before continuing. This practice cultivates a deep sense of connection between body, mind, and spirit, turning an ordinary walk into a sacred journey of presence and peace.

Connect With Yourself

Quiet Spaces

To engage in spirituality in a quiet place on the campus of California Lutheran University, find a peaceful spot like the Samuelson Chapel Rose Garden, the Labyrinth, the Meditation Chapel, the Enormous Luther statue, or a shaded bench along the campus trails. Begin by centering yourself with deep breaths, inviting stillness into your heart. Read a passage of sacred text, a favorite Psalm, or a devotional, allowing the words to settle in your spirit. Engage in silent prayer or meditation, listening for God’s presence in the rustling leaves or the distant sounds of the campus. If journaling helps you process, write down reflections, prayers, or gratitude. Let the quietness be a sacred space where you reconnect with yourself, finding rest and clarity amid the rhythms of campus life.

Use Your Words

Words have the power to bridge the seen and unseen, transforming thoughts into prayers and emotions into sacred connection. Whether spoken, written, or silently formed in the heart, words shape our spiritual journey, drawing us deeper into reflection, gratitude, and communion with the divine. A whispered prayer, a journaled reflection, or a simple acknowledgment of wonder can turn the ordinary into something sacred. By using words with intention, whether through sacred text, poetry, or heartfelt conversation with God, we open ourselves to guidance, healing, and a greater awareness of the holy woven into everyday life.