A man once said, half-jokingly, “Do me a favor: Tell me how to be good. I already know how bad I am.”

In essence, he was asking me to tell him about the spiritual disciplines—the habits of men who seek God. These habits aren’t about proving our worth to God or earning His approval, or even about “being good.” Through Jesus, we already have all the merit we need.

Instead, the spiritual disciplines are tools—practices and habits that help us grow and commune with the living God. And by commune I mean literally, as with the most intimate, accepting, loving, compassionate, non-judgmental, but also encouraging and challenging friend you’ve ever had. Sound good? Read on!

Why Do Spiritual Disciplines Matter?

Consider two men at age twenty-five. One exercises regularly, and the other does not. At first, there’s little visible difference. But by forty, and certainly by sixty-five, the impact is undeniable. One is strong and healthy; the other is burdened by health issues. The difference? Discipline.

To the athlete, soldier, or businessman, the value of discipline is obvious; they can’t be who they need to be without it. The same applies to the Christian life. Without spiritual discipline, a man drifts, loses direction, and struggles with faith. As my mentor Jim Gillean taught, “You can choose your way but not the result.”

The fruit of discipline isn’t always immediate, which is why many give up too soon. But when practiced regularly over time, the spiritual disciplines shape our character, strengthen our souls, align our desires with God’s will, and produce a life of intentionality that flourishes in faith.

If we will do what we don’t always naturally want to do, we will gain what we truly need. This is why “disciplines” is #18 on my alphabetical list of 70 things every man needs to know.

The Core Spiritual Disciplines

There are many spiritual disciplines, but here are twelve key disciplines I write about in my book A Man’s Guide to the Spiritual Disciplines:

• A Man and Creation: Observing God’s presence and power in nature and the world around us (“general revelation”).
• A Man and Scripture: Studying and meditating on God’s Word as the ultimate source of truth and guidance (“special revelation”).
• A Man and Worship: Expressing reverence and love for God through personal and corporate worship.
• A Man and Prayer: Cultivating an intimate relationship with God through consistent communication.
• A Man and the Sabbath: Setting aside time for rest, renewal, and reconnection with God.
• A Man and a Small Group: Building community with other believers for mutual encouragement and accountability.
• A Man and Counsel: Seeking wisdom from godly mentors and trusted Christian leaders.
• A Man and Fasting: Abstaining from food or distractions to focus on God’s will and direction.
• A Man and Spiritual Warfare: Engaging in the battle against sin and spiritual opposition through faith and prayer.
• A Man and Stewardship: Managing resources, time, and talents to honor God and bless others.
• A Man and Service: Demonstrating Christ’s love through acts of service and self-sacrifice.
• A Man and Witnessing: Sharing the gospel and living as a testament to God’s grace and redemption.

The disciplines are divine gifts—pathways not just to learn about God, but to walk with Him in a deep, personal, and life-transforming relationship.

I urge you to embrace these practices with renewed passion. They are so much more than habits; they are the keys to unlocking a life of purpose, peace, and power. As you engage with the living God, He will shape you, strengthen you, and set you on a course beyond anything you could imagine. And He will take care of you. So, lean in.

Much love,

Pat

For reflection and discussion:

1. Which discipline(s) do you currently engage in regularly? What helped you adopt that practice?
2. Which spiritual discipline intrigues you the most, and why?
3. What is one step you can take this week to incorporate a new spiritual discipline into your daily life?