Day 3
Prayer – Cardio for the Heart, Weights for the Will
One way to practice godliness is to pray. Prayer is an
exercise for the spirit. Through prayer we communicate with God and receive
strength, we get rid of anxiety, of negative thoughts and feelings, we think
about the things which are above, and therefore we train the mind. Through prayer we receive peace and joy. Waiting
for the answer to prayer trains
patience, getting the answer trains
faith, praying for others trains
love. Regular prayer teaches us to strive, to be disciplined, to get rid of
laziness. So by praying we can train our mind, our patience, our faith, our
love, become disciplined, diligent, peaceful, joyful.
Prayer is both cardio and
strength training for the soul: it pumps faith through our spiritual veins
(like cardio), and it builds perseverance to endure life’s weights (like
strength training).
Exercise is a repetitive act
designed to develop skill and strength. Just as language learners must practice
beyond knowing grammar rules, and musicians spend hours repeating scales and
pieces, so too must we practice prayer. No one makes progress in the spiritual
life without regular time spent in prayer. To make prayer a true spiritual
workout, I should aim to pray consistently building spiritual endurance over
time.
Fitness Parallels
- Spiritual Cardio: Just as running floods the body with
oxygen, prayer floods our soul with God’s presence—flushing out anxiety (Phil. 4:6-7) and pumping in peace.
- Resistance Training: Each prayer for others is a "love rep"—strengthening our compassion muscles (Col.
1:9-10).
- Flexibility Drills: Waiting on God’s timing stretches our
trust, keeping us agile in His will.
Reflection:
• Do I view prayer as essential spiritual training
or just a religious duty?
• How can I build a regular, disciplined rhythm of prayer into my daily life?
• In what area—faith, patience, love—do I most need spiritual growth through prayer?
Topical
meditation
May 27th,
2020
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий