Discernment: Step 2 of the Ignatian method of discernment, in a nutshell, so to speak, was to pray from a place of deep inner calmness to know God’s will only and to set one’s own will aside completely. Step 3 is a petitionary step: ask the Lord to move your will toward His will concerning the vocation to which God is calling you: that state in life in which you will give glory to God and procure your eternal salvation, a gift already purchased for you at great price. This is another way of saying to the Lord: God, I want only what you want for me, not what I want for me. Do you want me to pursue marriage, the single life or religious life (men: priesthood)? What is it, Lord? Show me! Then wait! (“By waiting and by calm you shall be saved; in quiet and in trust your strength lies”—Is. 30:15)
Source: Discernment of Spirits by Warren Sazama, SJ, National Religious Vocation Conference, Chicago, IL 60615.
