Many times we think that the goal of spiritual disciplines is to make God happy with us, and perhaps, reap a better reward. Many times, we think that the role of spiritual disciplines is to make our souls feel warm and fuzzy. But ultimately, spiritual discplines are surgical ways of forming our desires and patterns to conform to Jesus.
We exist in a world of rituals and practices that can erode our faith and obedience to Jesus. Throughout Scripture, we see the faithful of God engaging in "counter-liturgies" which challenge the cultural assumptions of their days. What's crazy is how little has changed over 2500 years of human history. We still practice patterns of over-consumption, hurriedness, and self-reliance which are antithetical to the way of the generous God whom we serve.
Throughout the course of this series we want to introduce six practices with a clear rubric on how to practice them as a way to form your life and the life of your home in patterns that reflect the way of Jesus.
Each week's discipline is accompanied by a discussion of the practice, preparations required for practicing it, additional recommendations to make the time extra special, and finally there are one-to-two optional book recommendations that are useful if you wish to dig into the practice deeper for the future.
In Genesis 2:2-3 we're told that on the seventh day, God had finished creating the heavens and the earth. So God rested, and he declared that the seventh day would be a holy day, set apart from the others.
Many many years later, God had adopted a family of people known as the Israelites. For 300 years they were enslaved by an oppressive empire, but God came in and rescued them freely. Having rescued them, God created a treaty, or a covenant, with Israel. One of the crucial elements of that covenant was that the Israelites remember the seventh day and keep it holy by doing no work on that day. God was calling his people to be different from the non-stop 24/7 culture of the big bad empire they had just departed. He wanted them to understand that He was the giver and sustainer of life. So the Israelite people would cease one day out of the week. They would do no field work, sell nothing in the marketplace, nor buy anything from the marketplace. The entire economy would shut down once a week.
The call for spiritual practice this week is to practice Sabbath.
You and your family, take one day off this week. No work (outside of preparing a meal), no participating in commerce.
Also, because of the amount of advertising that is done on social media, we would strongly encourage you to stay away from it for this one day. Better yet, why not turn off the phone for a day.
Because Sabbath involves an abstension from commerce, practicing it will necessarily require intentional preparation. In Jewish culture, they would have a day dedicated to preparation. If you choose to practice Sabbath on Saturday, this would mean that Friday afternoon you'll want to get all of your shopping done for Saturday.
Take the time to spend with your family. Play games, read books together. While it can be super healthy to stay away from electronics, there's certainly nothing wrong with doing a family movie night to end your Sabbath.
For families, an important aspect of Sabbath is a recognition of God as generous host and He wants us to extend his generosity to others. If you know someone who is single or widowed, why not invite them over to be a member of your family for the day.
- Sabbath as Resistance: Saying No to the Culture of Now by Walter Breuggemann
- The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Marc Comer
- Generosity
The practice of confession is not often associated with Protestant, especially Evangelical, traditions. We often imagine this being a private experience in a dark box, confessing our secret sins to a concerned party on the other side of a partition. While we may think of this as a stuffy practice, there is great freedom that comes from confessing our sins to God.
Late in David's life, he committed profound sin. He abused his authority as king to have sex with the wife of a loyal soldier. He responded to his transgression by once again abusing his authority as king to command his faithful soldier and friend to the frontlines of battle, ensuring his premature death. God takes notice, and lets David know that God is aware of his sin. David responds immediately by confessing his sin to the Lord's prophet. You'll notice that in confessing his sin, David is not excused from punishment. The child that David conceived through his abuse ultimately died. Yet David was still remembered as a king who showed faithfulness to God.
In the same way, we ought at all times to confess our sins both to God and to our brothers and sisters. This is often referred to as a "penitential" act, something we do that is uncomfortable and perhaps at times painful, but is a crucial component to repentence.
The call for spiritual practice this week is praying a prayer of confession of sin each day of the week.
Each day you alone, or as a family, pray out loud a prayer of general confession. We've provided one below, but feel free to improvise the language as makes you comfortable. This specific prayer has been employed by Christians for centuries and is often prayed as part of a daily practice of prayer and Scripture reading.
Almighty and most merciful Father,
we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep.
We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts.
We have offended against your holy laws.
We have left undone those things which we ought to have done,
and we have done those things which we ought not to have done;
and apart from your grace, there is no health in us.
O Lord, have mercy upon us.
Spare all those who confess their faults.
Restore all those who are penitent, according to your promises
declared to all people in Christ Jesus our Lord.
And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake,
that we may now live a godly, righteous, and sober life,
to the glory of your holy Name.
Amen.
Decide what time you will pray the prayer each day. Copy down by hand or print off the prayer and keep it somewhere you'll be able to find it when it's time to pray.
As beneficial as praying a general prayer of confession to God, there is also value in confessing your sins to your brothers and sisters in Christ. In this way, you are able to unburden yourself, just as you do when praying to God directly, while introducing accountability and partnership in prayer. Be sure to make this time intentional, making it clear that this is not banter nor a counseling session, but a time for you to practice repentence by confessing your sin.
- Daily Office rubric with the Daniel 1-6 readings (Monday - Saturday)
- Fasting
- Intercession