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I have always been curious about how we put our faith into practice. What does it actually look like to live out our spirituality, not just in what we believe, but in how we move through our everyday lives?
For me, this curiosity goes back many years, to when I was growing up in Asia. I was surrounded by people practicing different religions, visiting temples and shrines, praying, and observing rituals. I saw people from Buddhist, Hindu, and Shinto traditions engaging in practices that were woven into their daily lives.
I remember going to the pastor at my international church and asking, "What do Christians do?"
I knew quite a bit about what Christians believed. That was very much the focus of many evangelical Christians I knew at the time. But I realized I wasn't quite sure what Christians actually did to practice their faith, beyond sitting down with a Bible to read and spending time in prayer.
That question stayed with me, and over the years, it shaped my interest in Christian spirituality and the many ways we can live out our faith.
How My Interest in Spiritual Practices Began
My pastor gave me a few recommendations to explore, which satisfied my curiosity for a while. But it wasn't until later, after attending seminary, becoming an ordained minister, and beginning work at my first church, that my interest in how we practice our faith came to the forefront again.
At the time, the more popular term for this was spiritual disciplines. I called my first group that explored these ideas the Spiritual Disciplines Group.
I had a marvelous group of six wise women who shared a curiosity and deep commitment to exploring different ways to pray and bring spirituality into everyday life. We explored different approaches to prayer and considered how our faith could shape the way we lived.
I loved that group. It was a rich and meaningful experience, and it helped deepen my own understanding of the Christian spiritual life.
But over time, I found myself becoming less comfortable with the term spiritual disciplines.
Why I Prefer Spiritual Practices Over Spiritual Disciplines
Perhaps it's my personality, but the word discipline began to sound a little harsh and rigid to me. It seemed to suggest something inflexible, even though I know that isn't necessarily what the word means to everyone.
The term spiritual practices, on the other hand, resonated with me much more.
I like the sense of grace and flexibility that comes with the word practice. It feels more welcoming and allows us to acknowledge that life is constantly changing. Sometimes, the rhythms we hope to maintain are interrupted by unexpected responsibilities, difficult seasons, or simply the busyness of everyday life.
And that is okay.
When we think about the literal meaning of practice, we give ourselves permission not to get everything right all the time.
Think about learning to play the piano or practicing volleyball. We don't expect perfection from the beginning. We expect to learn, make mistakes, try again, and grow along the way.
I think the same is true of our spiritual lives.
When we practice our faith, we are allowing ourselves to explore, experiment, and discover what helps us deepen our relationship with God. We are not aiming for perfection. We are making room for learning and growth.
We can try different approaches, look at familiar practices from fresh perspectives, learn new techniques, and gain wisdom from different people and traditions.
Most importantly, we can lean into the unfinished nature of our faith.
Our spiritual lives are not something we master once and for all. They are something we continue to nurture and explore throughout our lives.
Discovering the Rich Heritage of Christian Spiritual Practices
One book that helped me appreciate the richness of the Christian spiritual tradition is Soul Feast by Marjorie Thompson.
I worked through this book very slowly over several years. It introduced me to many different avenues toward prayer and spiritual life, helping me understand just how much wisdom and richness there is within our Christian heritage.
There are so many ways to connect with God, nurture our spirituality, and bring our faith into the ordinary moments of life.
Sometimes, we can become so familiar with a particular way of praying or worshiping that we forget there are other possibilities to explore. We may assume that our spiritual life has to look a certain way, or that there is one right approach we should follow.
But the Christian tradition offers us a much wider invitation.
There are many practices that can help us become more attentive to God, deepen our faith, and discover new ways of living out our spirituality.
That discovery continues to inspire me.
Spiritual Practices Are About More Than Prayer
It has always been important to me to explore how I can live my faith, not simply believe it.
I find myself asking questions such as:
How does my spiritual life ripple out into my relationships?
How does it shape my encounters with other people?
How does my faith influence the activities and choices that fill my days?
How do my spiritual practices help me become more aware of God's presence in this wide and beautiful world?
For me, spirituality is not something separate from everyday life. It is woven into the way we relate to others, respond to challenges, care for ourselves, and engage with the world around us.
Our spiritual practices can help us become more attentive to the sacredness of ordinary moments. They can open us to God's presence in places we might otherwise overlook.
And in recent years, I've become increasingly fascinated by another aspect of spiritual practices: their connection with our well-being and resilience.
How Spiritual Practices Help Us Restore and Flourish
I've become fascinated, even a little obsessed, with the realization that spiritual practices can help us experience greater well-being, stay resilient, and find restoration in our day-to-day lives.
I believe this matters because we are not simply trying to get through life. We want to live fully. We want to flourish. We want to fulfill our callings in the world from a grounded place of joy, strength, and hope.
Yet so often, we find ourselves moving through life feeling depleted, overwhelmed, or disconnected from the things that nourish us.
We may have responsibilities to others, meaningful work to do, and people who depend on us. But how do we continue showing up in those roles without losing touch with ourselves and the things that sustain us?
This is where spiritual practices become especially meaningful.
They can help us pause, reconnect with God, pay attention to what is happening within us, and become more aware of the sources of nourishment available in our lives.
They are not simply activities to add to an already full schedule. They can become ways of living that help us find restoration in the middle of our everyday responsibilities.
For me, this is an important part of what it means to cultivate a resilient spirit: finding ways to be nourished and replenished so that we can continue to live, serve, and flourish.
An Invitation to Explore Spiritual Practices With Me
Now you might understand a little more about why I keep talking about spiritual practices in the Christian tradition!
My interest began with a simple question: What do Christians do to practice their faith?
Over the years, that question has grown into a much deeper exploration of how our spiritual lives can shape the way we live and how we can find nourishment, restoration, and resilience through the practices we cultivate.
I don't believe we need to get everything right. We don't need to follow a perfect routine or become experts in every spiritual practice.
Instead, I invite you to approach your spiritual life with curiosity and grace. Be willing to explore. Try something new. Notice what helps you feel more connected to God, yourself, and the people around you.
And remember that practice is a journey of learning and growth, not a demand for perfection.
So come along with me, or stay on this journey with me, as we continue exploring spiritual practices that restore us, connect us with God and with others, and nourish us for the way ahead.
My hope is that, together, we can discover ways to live our faith more fully and flourish from a place of replenishment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between spiritual practices and spiritual disciplines?
Spiritual disciplines traditionally refer to intentional activities that help us grow in our faith. I prefer the term spiritual practices because it feels more flexible and gracious. It reminds me that our spiritual lives are an ongoing journey of learning, exploring, and growing rather than something we need to get perfect.
Why are spiritual practices important in the Christian faith?
Spiritual practices help us put our faith into action. They offer different ways to connect with God, deepen our spirituality, and bring our faith into our everyday relationships, activities, and experiences.
Do spiritual practices have to be complicated?
Not at all. Spiritual practices can take many forms, and they don't need to be complicated or time-consuming. The important thing is to explore what helps you become more aware of God's presence and nurtures your spiritual life.
Do I need to follow a strict spiritual routine?
No. I believe there is room for flexibility in our spiritual lives. The word practice reminds us that we are learning and growing. We can explore different approaches and allow our practices to adapt as our lives and circumstances change.
What is a good book for exploring Christian spiritual practices?
One book I particularly appreciate is Soul Feast by Marjorie Thompson. It explores the rich heritage of Christian spiritual practices and introduces different avenues toward prayer and spiritual life.
How can spiritual practices support resilience and well-being?
Spiritual practices can help us reconnect with God, become more attentive to ourselves and others, and find restoration in everyday life. They can nourish us so that we can live more fully and fulfill our callings from a place of joy, strength, and hope.
Where should I begin with spiritual practices?
Begin with curiosity. Explore different ways of praying and nurturing your spiritual life. You don't have to get everything right or commit to a perfect routine. Give yourself permission to try, learn, and discover what helps you connect with God.
Listen to my podcast episode on this: https://spiritualpracticesforthesoul.substack.com/