*Training yourself to be godly may include a rhythm of prayer and fasting, prayer and solitude, and listening or conversational prayer.
Last week, we talked about the spiritual practice of prayer. We have the privilege, as children of our heavenly Father, to talk with him about everything in our life. We can pray about all our concerns and thank him for all he has done for us.
There are a few other spiritual disciplines that are tied to prayer. It may be that you pray often, but haven’t tried some of the practices below. Or maybe you have tried them but have not intentionally made them part of the rhythms of your life. Check them out and ask God for direction on which one to try this week and which ones to incorporate into your walk with God.
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE: Prayer
The first practice is simply prayer but being intentional about determining when and where and what you will pray about. You could develop a prayer list about whom or what to pray for and schedule a regular time of day to pray. If you want to grow in your relationship with Jesus, you need to pray.
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE: Prayer and Fasting
Scripture is clear that fasting was part of people’s lives as they sought God – and usually prayer goes with the fasting. In the book of Esther, Esther asks Mordecai to tell her people to fast. She doesn’t ask them to pray, but that is the assumption – if they fast, they will be praying. They were fasting in order to hear from God and for God to give direction to Esther.
Fasting is simply going without food for a meal or two, or day or two. Some choose to fast for a week or more. Some emulate Jesus and his forty-day fast after his baptism. Some choose to fast by removing something else of importance from their life besides food, such as fasting from technology, or that special hot drink you like. The goal is to demonstrate that one’s desire for God is greater than our desires for other things.
You might want to include prayer and fasting in your walk with Jesus.
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE: Prayer and Solitude
Payer is talking with God. At other times it is just sitting and resting in the presence of God. To be in solitude. This is a hard one!
We fill our lives with busyness and with people and noise. Maybe you want to practice the discipline of Solitude – just stopping and being with Jesus. Sometimes I see this as having coffee with Jesus. Grab a coffee and just sit in prayerful thought as if Jesus is right there having coffee with you. This is less about what you need from Jesus and more about just being in his presence.
Wait. Maybe Jesus will say something – impress a certain thought or scripture on your mind. Maybe even give you direction for the day.
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE: Listening Prayer/Conversational Prayer
Very often, our prayer time is a time of giving God a list of requests and thanking him for what He has done. Sometimes we sit in solitude enjoying being in His presence.
We also need to take time to specifically listen to God. This is not about getting through my list and going on with my day, but taking time to ask God questions and wait for His answers. It is about listening for His still small voice, or a sense, or a reminder of a scripture.
For me, listening prayer works well with a journal, I write down my conversation – what I am saying and then what I think He is saying. I then ask another question to clarify or to learn more, like in any conversation.
I encourage you to slow down and spend time with God, listening and talking with, not just to, God.
Keep looking up,
Andy Wiebe
Elevate with Andy 