We can learn how to define spiritual disciplines and give examples of them. Though helpful, that doesn’t mean we will consistently engage in spiritual disciplines.
How do we get to the point where we consistently engage in spiritual disciplines?
You may be looking for some “how-to” steps to follow to help you become more consistent. Understand, however, that what works for one person may not work for another. We all, however, need a starting point to lay a good foundation. Build on the following understandings and see how it affects the way you approach these practices:
First, we need to understand the spiritual battle behind a struggle to engage in the spiritual disciplines.
Second, we need to understand how natural tendencies, like our personalities, can affect our practice of the spiritual disciplines.
Third, we need a worthwhile purpose for engaging in these practices.
Fourth, we need to grab hold of God’s resources that will enable us to engage in spiritual disciplines. — Don’t take the spiritual out of the spiritual disciplines because then all you are left with are disciplines.
The Getting Spiritually Fit Discipleship Tool briefly expounds on each of the above points along with some helpful Scripture. It also challenges you to think through what might be keeping you from consistently engaging in spiritual disciplines.
How is this different from … Contemplative Spirituality / Spiritual Formation / Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, mystical meditation ?
The posts on this site about spiritual disciplines aren’t suggesting mindless activities but rather those that come from a renewed mind as described in Romans 12:1-2, one that is led by the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:13-26), based on truth as presented in the Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Heb. 4:12). We meditate on God’s Word (Josh. 1:8; Ps. 1:2; etc.). We pray with our heart and mind engaged, alert and sober-minded (1 Pet. 4:7), which is important so we don’t give the enemy opportunity to deceive us and lead us astray (1 Pet. 5:8; 2 Cor. 11:3). Jesus Himself warned again vain repetition in praying (Matt. 6:7).
To sum up the approach to spiritual disciplines on this site, let me quote from a post titled ‘What are Examples of the Spiritual Disciplines?‘. — “Since we don’t even find the term “spiritual disciplines” mentioned in the Bible, we must guard against getting dogmatic about what to include. We do, however, need to find a biblical basis for it. If our objective in practicing spiritual disciplines is to foster and deepen our love relationship with the Lord, we must approach it through means He endorses in accordance with His Word.”