Getting into the Specifics (Discipleship Article #5)

 

So, as we seek to live out our Discipleship during the week what does this look like? How do we start? Where do we start?

First of all, we choose and strive to have an awareness of God's presence with us everywhere we go. Paul teaches us that in Christ we "live, move, and have our being" and that we are indwelt with the person of the Holy Spirit (see Romans 8, the Spirit connecting us to the very being of God and his power in our lives"). We are told in I Thessalonians 5 that we should go through our day in a prayerful state of mind:

 

16Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 

 

Secondly, we set time aside for prayer, scripture reading/reflection, and meditation. It is one thing to read scripture or listen to a homily. It is completely another to reflect on how that scripture and/or teaching can help shape our character, beliefs, and life. Sometimes the meditation we engage may be necessary before we begin our prayer so that we can put the random swirling thoughts and many responsibilities aside and rest in the "peace that passes all understanding." Other times, we may need meditation after our time of prayer and/or Scripture reading to open our hearts to the Holy Spirit's clarity and applicational wisdom.

 

Thirdly, set this time of prayer aside daily, at the same time of the day, and for a specified amount of time. I often tell new believers that it is better to start with only five minutes a day than to take on too long of a time which then becomes drudgery. The hope is to develop good habits. Don't rely on willpower first of all, but ask the Lord to strengthen and help you in this discipline.

 

Lastly, get help from a spiritual guide for the best ways to accomplish these spiritual disciplines, or if you have engaged in these disciplines for a long time, inquire of a spiritually mature person how you might approach your personal prayer life in some fresh and meaningful ways. Your Priest or Pastor is always the best place to start.

 

In our next article, we will investigate some resources that can aid us as we seek to develop a life of prayer.