First, may we thank you all for your gracious response to the posts last week? This past week we averaged 200 readers per day {not including the 250+ of who you receive our posts daily in a reader or by email} … a new record for our site. We have been so encouraged by your comments and interest in the Spiritual Disciplines and hope we can offer you information and insight that will be an encouragement back to you as invest time in growth through these long-honored methods.
As we launch into the specifics of the different disciplines, we begin with what Richard Foster calls “The Inward Disciplines.” These four practices, while they may also be done publicly, are most effectively used in our own prayer closet and times of private time with the Lord.
And so, as we spend this week exploring meditation, prayer, fasting, and study, our earnest desire is to encourage you to be intentional in each of these areas, equip you with a solid foundation of what Scripture says about each, and empower you with tools and exercises to put each into practice.
Which of these four inward disciplines comes most easily to you? Which is the biggest challenge? Why do you think that is the case?
Prayer and meditation are the easiest for me. I feel the most connected to the Lord. After the initial finding the time, I could sit for hours and pray and meditate.
Holly, I have to confess a little bit of envy … I long for that heart that can be still and meditate for long periods of time. Those “still” practices require so much more discipline for me.
Yeah…I’d have to say I’m a tad envious, too. Should I confess…were I to find an extended period of time to pray and meditate, I’d probably fall asleep. How’s that for a wayward heart? Or just a clue as to where I’m at in life (up late with teens and up early trying to squeeze in any kind of quiet time).
I think I’d have to say “study” comes most easily. Fasting – that’s just so hard on the flesh especially when I still have to fix meals for the family. Meditation and prayer…well…it takes more discipline to keep my mind from wandering. With study I can stay on task better, or at least if I do rabbit trail it still falls under the guise of studying. :-)
I’m the same way, Natalie.
I would have to agree with Natalie. All those disciplines are hard for except study. And it is for the same reasons she provided.
Study is definitely the easiest for me. Fasting is the hardest, but God has been impressing on me the need to persevere in this discipline.
Study and prayer are the easiest. Meditation is getting easier thanks to some sweet on-line ladies who have held me accountable in scripture memory. Fasting is by far the hardest for me. My carnal flesh really shows itself when I attempt fasting.
Blessings~
Marita
These are all challenging to me. But, study is easiest of the inward disciplines and what I enjoy the most. I have never fasted from food before, but I’ve done media fasting and it was a sweet time of surrender and fellowship. Meditation and prayer are areas of huge weakness and areas I hope to be found more faithful in.