Do you long for a deeper relationship with God?
Do you want to feel more connected to Jesus in your everyday life?
Do you want to grow spiritually – but often feel distracted, inconsistent or spiritually “dry”?
If so, you are not alone.
Many Christians genuinely want to grow in their faith, but struggle to know how. We live in a busy, distracted world that constantly pulls our attention in a hundred different directions.
Even when we want to spend time with God, it can easily get crowded out by work, responsibilities, screens, social media, exhaustion and the general busyness of life.
This is where spiritual disciplines come in.
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What are spiritual disciplines?
Spiritual disciplines are spiritual “habits” – such as prayer, reading Scripture, fellowship, fasting, worship, silence and solitude – which, when practised intentionally and consistently over time, deepen our faith, help us grow in our relationship with God and shape us to become more like Christ.
They are not about perfection or performance. And they are certainly not about earning God’s love.
Rather, spiritual disciplines are practices that help us intentionally make space for God in our everyday lives.
They help us slow down and focus on God. And over time, they help transform us from the inside out.
Spiritual disciplines are rooted in the Bible
Spiritual disciplines are not a modern invention.
Quite the opposite.
They are deeply rooted in Scripture and have been practised by God’s people throughout history.
Jesus practised spiritual disciplines
Jesus himself regularly practised spiritual disciplines:
- He prayed regularly (Luke 5:16)
- He withdrew into silence and solitude (Mark 1:35)
- He fasted (Matthew 4:1–2)
- He knew the Scriptures deeply (Luke 4:16–21)
- And he regularly worshipped in community (Luke 4:16)
This is important.
If Jesus himself – the Son of God – intentionally made time for spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, Scripture, solitude and worship, how much more do we need these practices in our own lives?
Spiritual disciplines are not just for “super spiritual” Christians, pastors or monks. They are an integral part of a healthy Christian life.
The early church practised spiritual disciplines
The early church also practised many spiritual disciplines.
Acts 2:42-27 tells us that the first Christians devoted themselves to:
- Learning
- Fellowship
- Prayer
- Generosity
- Hospitality
- Simplicity
- Humility
- Celebration
- Gratitude
- Worship
- Evangelism
The New Testament also shows believers practising:
- Fasting (Acts 13:2–3)
- Evangelism (Matthew 28:19–20)
- Worship (Colossians 3:16)
- Service (Galatians 5:13)
- Generosity (Acts 4:32–35)
- Gratitude (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
- Social justice and care for the vulnerable (James 1:27)
- Celebration and rejoicing (Philippians 4:4)
These practices were woven into everyday Christian life.
And Christians throughout history have continued to practise these disciplines as a way of drawing closer to God and growing spiritually.
READ MORE >>> What are the core spiritual disciplines?
Why spiritual disciplines matter more than ever today
Sadly, spiritual disciplines have somewhat fallen by the wayside in modern life.
Our busy, distracted culture leaves very little room for silence, stillness, reflection or unhurried time with God.
We are constantly surrounded by:
- Notifications
- Entertainment
- Noise
- Busyness
- Endless information
- Pressure to be productive
Many of us feel mentally exhausted, emotionally overwhelmed and spiritually depleted.
And yet, rather than slowing down and turning towards God, we often instinctively reach for more distraction.
We scroll.
We binge-watch.
We multitask.
We try to fill every quiet moment with noise and distraction.
The problem is not simply that we are busy. The deeper problem is that our attention is constantly being pulled away from God.
Spiritual disciplines gently push back against this.
They help us create intentional rhythms that reconnect us with God in the middle of everyday life.
In many ways, spiritual disciplines are more necessary now than ever before.
Spiritual disciplines are not legalism
At this point, it’s important to clear up a very common misunderstanding.
Some Christians hear the phrase “spiritual disciplines” and immediately think:
“Danger, danger, alert: LEGALISM!”
But true spiritual disciplines are the opposite of legalism.
Legalism says: “If I do enough good things, God will love and accept me.”
But the Bible says we are saved by grace through faith – not by our own effort or performance.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” – Ephesians 2:8–9 (NIV)
Spiritual disciplines are not a way to EARN God’s love.
They are simply practices that help us spend more time with the God who already loves us and has already accepted us.
A helpful analogy is that of a trellis in a garden.
A trellis doesn’t MAKE a plant grow, but rather it SUPPORTS growth. A trellis helps guide the plant in the right direction and creates the conditions necessary for healthy growth and fruitfulness.
In the same way, spiritual disciplines do not produce spiritual growth through human effort alone. Only God can truly transform us. But spiritual disciplines help create the conditions for healthy spiritual growth.
Another helpful picture is Jesus’ teaching about the vine and branches in John 15.
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” – John 15:4 (NIV)
Jesus uses this metaphor of a vine and branches to describe an intimate, ongoing relationship with him. We need to remain in a continual, close, dependent relationship with Jesus in order to grow and be fruitful.
Spiritual disciplines help us “remain” or “abide” in Christ.
They help us stay connected to the true source of life and transformation.
Spiritual disciplines are about relationship, not routine
Of course, like any habit, spiritual disciplines can become routine or mechanical if we are not careful.
It is possible to outwardly go through the motions: praying, reading the Bible, going to church, serving, worshipping, fasting etc. without ever truly engaging with God.
Jesus explicitly warned against empty religious practices that looked spiritual outwardly but lacked genuine love for God inwardly (Matthew 6:1–18).
The goal of spiritual disciplines is not simply to “tick spiritual boxes”.
The goal is relationship.
The purpose of spiritual disciplines is to help us:
- Know God more deeply
- Love him more fully
- Become more like Jesus
- Live more in tune with the Holy Spirit
The disciplines themselves are not the destination.
God is.
Spiritual growth takes time
Spiritual transformation usually happens slowly.
We often want instant spiritual maturity: instant wisdom, instant peace, instant closeness with God.
But most spiritual growth happens gradually, over time, through small, faithful habits repeated consistently.
Just as physical fitness develops slowly through regular training, spiritual maturity also develops slowly through intentional spiritual practices.
Paul writes:
“Train yourself to be godly.” – 1 Timothy 4:7 (NIV)
Notice that Paul uses the language of physical training. Just as physical fitness develops through repeated practice over time, spiritual maturity also develops through regular habits and rhythms – through regular “training” and “discipline”.
Of course, spiritual growth is not about “trying harder” in our own strength. Ultimately, it is God who changes us. But spiritual disciplines create space for us to meet with God consistently and be shaped by him over time.
Final thoughts
Spiritual disciplines are not about becoming more religious.
They are about becoming more connected to Jesus.
They are practical, everyday habits that help us slow down, remain in Christ and create space for God to transform us over time.
And in a noisy, distracted and spiritually exhausted world, they are one of the greatest gifts God has given us.
READ MORE >>> What are the core spiritual disciplines?
The 30 Day Challenges
To help you grow in the spiritual disciplines, I have developed a series of 30 Day Challenges.
Each 30 Day Challenge focuses on just ONE spiritual discipline for 30 days.
By the end of the 30 days, not only will you have grown in that discipline and in your faith, but hopefully that spiritual discipline will have become a habit – something that is second nature to you.
And once you have completed one 30 Day Challenge, you can then focus on another, so that, over time, all of these spiritual disciplines can become incorporated into everyday life – without you having to find more than 24 hours in the day or become a monk!
To find out more about the challenges, head here: The 30 Day Challenges
Recommended books on spiritual disciplines
- Celebration Of Discipline – Richard Foster
- Spiritual Disciplines For The Christian Life – Donald S. Whitney
- Habits Of Grace – David Mathis
- Practising The Way – John Mark Comer
- Spirit Of The Disciplines – Dallas Willard
READ MORE >>> Recommended books on spiritual disciplines
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