Faith in Life

In this program, we explore “faith in life”—what this means to each member, what we do to affirm or celebrate life, what renews us, and what sustains us when our faith in life dims.

Member Preparation

In preparation for this session, take some time to read the following quotes and to think about what “faith in life” means to you, what you do to celebrate life, what renews your faith in life, and what sustains you when your faith in life dims.

"Through our direct experience, we … may discover a profound sense of wonder about the gift of life and be led to gratitude, renewal of the sprit, and openness to the forces that create and uphold life." – John A. Buehrens, Our Chosen Faith    

"[I did not wish], when I come to die, to discover that I had not lived. I did not wish … to practise resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, … to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and, if it proved to be mean, why then to get the whole and genuine meanness of it, and publish its meanness to the world." – Henry David Thoreau, Walden

"Darkness was and darkness was good. As with light. Light and Darkness dancing together, born together, born of each other, neither preceding, neither following, both fully being, in joyful rhythm." – Madeleine L’Engle, A Swiftly Tilting Planet

"The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings." – Eric Hoffer

"The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate." – Oprah Winfrey

"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense." – Ralph Waldo Emerson

These questions provide ways you may want to approach this topic. Remember to focus on just one or two of the questions, if you choose to use them, as this will allow you to explore the topic in more depth.

  • What does affirming faith in life means to you?
  • Do you have practices that help you feel renewed, i.e. meditation, exercise, creativity, cooking?
  • Do you have ways of staying open to life and the unexpected?
  • What are some of the things that help you deal with disappointments?

Further Exploration

  • Alan Jones and John O’Neil, Seasons of Grace: The Life-Giving Practice of Gratitude (Wiley: 2003).
  • Elizabeth Roberts and Elias Amidon, eds. Life Prayers From Around the World: 365 Prayers, Blessings, and Affimations to Celebrate the Human Journey (HarperSanFrancisco: 1996).