Your Question

Discernment Practice 2: Framing Your Discernment Question

Clarifying the scope and content of your discernment question is an important step that can simplify the process and provide clearer direction.

In this practice, you will prayerfully frame the issue or decision you are discerning, allowing God to guide you toward greater clarity.

Discernment seeks to make a choice between two goods. 

Preparation for Prayer:

• Let the silence deepen around you.

• As you enter into the stillness, ask God for the desire to follow His call through the decision you will be making. Don’t rush—simply allow yourself to be present with God.

• Turn your attention to Him and express your desire to follow His will in this decision.

• Describe the decision you wish to discern.

• Take a moment to write down the decision you are facing. Be clear and specific about what you are seeking discernment on, so that it can be framed well in your mind.

A small decision may only take a short time, a large decision may likely take longer. 

Reflection Question: What is the decision that is most pressing on your heart right now? 

• Elaborate on the aspects of this decision that seem most important to you at this point.

• Write down any thoughts, feelings, or circumstances that influence your decision.

• Consider what is motivating you, any fears or hopes you have, and anything you feel is at stake.

 Reflection Question: What aspects of this decision feel most important to you? Are there any fears, desires, or expectations that are influencing your discernment?

State the question concisely.

• Try to summarize your question in as few words as possible.

• It will be helpful to form it as a yes/no question, which will clarify the core of the issue. For example: "Should I begin to work outside our home?" or "Should I move to another city for a job opportunity?"

 Reflection Question:

• How can you express your discernment issue as a clear yes/no question?

• What do you notice about the question when you try to frame it concisely?

• As you bring the decision before God, what emotions or thoughts are stirred within you?

• Do you sense any changes in your understanding of the decision as you go deeper into this process?