In devotional life and practices Bible reading and praying are common ingredients. They are important. Though as important as reading the Bible and praying are, a refreshing devotional practice calls for more elements and diversities within our accepted spiritual observances. Devotional life practice has range in ingredients, and an even greater range in methods/recipes or spiritual disciplines ... not unlike the time honoured customs of home-cooking.
A clear memory of growing up as a “hollow-legged” boy in the forties was food. There was always a good supply of the stuff. The greater variety things eaten in our household were either grown (or caught) by dad or baked at home by mum. Eating in our household was not merely consuming, that was the last matter – along with strict table etiquette; I grew an understanding, “great meals prepared from good recipes always start with right ingredients.” So what’s the range of ingredients and recipes that make for refreshing devotional practice?
Well, for starters in biblical and Christian history there’s four recurring ingredients; 1) reading of Scripture, 2) prayer and praying, 3) meditation or ruminating on your reading, and 4) active responsiveness towards God.
Then there’s the great range of methods/recipes or spiritual disciplines to consider, such as; Bible Study, breath prayer, celebration, centering prayer, confession, contemplation, conversational prayer, devotional reading of Christian classics, examen prayer, fasting, fellowship, gratitude, intercessory prayer, journaling, lectio divina, memorization, practicing the presence, self examination, service, silence, simplicity, solitude, submission, theological reflection, and worship.
“So JCD, where do I start?” Simple, get the right ingredients first, then the possibilities of developing a range of good recipes . . . “bon appétit.”
There's more: God's Word warns us of danger and directs us to hidden treasure.
Otherwise how will we find our way?
Or know when we play the fool?
Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh!
Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work;
then I can start this day sun-washed, scrubbed clean of the grime of sin.
These are the words in my mouth;
these are what I chew on and pray.
Accept them when I place them on the morning altar,
O God, my Altar-Rock,
God, Priest-of-My-Altar.
Otherwise how will we find our way?
Or know when we play the fool?
Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh!
Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work;
then I can start this day sun-washed, scrubbed clean of the grime of sin.
These are the words in my mouth;
these are what I chew on and pray.
Accept them when I place them on the morning altar,
O God, my Altar-Rock,
God, Priest-of-My-Altar.
Psalm 19:11-14 (Message Bible)
