Spiritual discipline involves such practices as prayer, praise, worship, confession, fasting meditation, and study. Through prayer we express our trust in Jehovah God, the giver of all good things, and acknowledge our dependence on Him for our needs and for the needs of others (Matthew 6:5-15; Luke 11:1-13; James 5:13-18). Through both private and public worship we bless god, have communion with Him, and are provided daily with spiritual enrichment and growth in grace.
Through periods of fasting we draw close to God, meditate on the passion of Christ, and discipline ourselves to submit to the control of the Holy Spirit in all areas of our life (Matthew 6:16-18; 9:14-17; Acts 14:23). Through confession of our sins to God we are assured of divine forgiveness (1 John 1:9, 2:2). The sharing of our confession with other believers provides the opportunity to request prayer and to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2; James 5:16). Through mediation on and study of the Word of God, we enhance our own spiritual growth and prepare ourselves to help guide and instruct others in Scriptural truths. (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2; 2 Timothy 2:15, 23-26).
