Last week I wrote that one of the reasons we don’t have good leaders who last is because we have not taught disciples how to be aware of and listen to the Holy Spirit. There are many ways we can hear the Holy Spirit and I will list them in a bit. But I need to emphasize the need for disciples to get in the daily habit of journaling the Word and praying. A systematic reading of the Word will give a disciple a strong base of what the entire Bible says, rather than one’s favorite passages. Pastor Wayne Cordeiro likes to say the minor prophets are the loneliest people in the world because no one reads them. A systematic plan to read the whole Bible will take care of that. Additionally, a substantial amount of daily prayer will prepare you to hear the Holy Spirit throughout the day.
This is something I emphasize with the students at New Hope Christian College-Hawaii. In order to be a disciple, one needs to be disciplined, and nothing is more foundational in their ability to sense the Holy Spirit in their lives than being disciplined in the Word and in prayer. If students can get this down, they will set themselves up for future spiritual success.
In addition to, not instead of, a daily time in Word and prayer, there are different ways to enhance one’s time with God. The following list of nine types comes from Gary Thomas’ book Sacred Pathways. As you read the list, think through which type of person you may be.
The Naturalist – you feel close to God when you are outdoors such as hiking or taking nature walks. You desire to get outdoors.
The Sensate – you feel close to God when you engage in the five senses such as majestic music, symbolic architecture, outstanding art, or the sensory experience of communion. You desire to visit a cathedral or museum.
The Traditionalist – you feel close to God when you meditate on Christian symbols or worship God according to set patterns, similar to what churches did centuries long ago. You desire to go a monastery or attend a liturgical service.
The Ascetic – you feel close to God when the environment for personal worship is silence, with no noisy or colorful distractions, or you feel the desire to be alone with God on a continual basis. You desire solitude.
The Activist – you feel close to God when you are in the midst of doing God’s work. You desire to get out of the church and do something.
The Caregiver – you feel close to God when you provide care and meet the needs of others. You desire to help somebody.
The Enthusiast – you feel close to God when you celebrate Him and are in awe of His supernatural powers. You desire to worship God creatively.
The Intellectual – you feel close to God when you understand something new about God. You desire to study His Word.
The Contemplative – you feel close to God when you adore God, listen to Him, and just enjoy Him. You desire to “soak” in Him.
Most people are a combination of two or three. For me, I’m an ascetic/intellectual. I enjoy my morning times with God when it is completely quiet in the home, no lights are on, and there are no distractions. I’ll use this time to pray and dialogue with the Lord. Then I’ll spend time in His Word and dig deep. Even though I may have read the same passage a year before, I find the Holy Spirit mentoring me, opening my eyes to new things I didn’t see before, and challenging me to apply His Word.
What this list does is acknowledge how we are all created differently and that there are different ways to commune with God. But it is not an excuse to commune with God in only this way. As a disciple make sure you are reading His Word and praying daily. But also take time to strengthen your relationship with God in a way you have been created.
Questions to Think About:
What do you need to say no to in order to say yes to a daily time of Word and prayer?
What are the two or three ways you best commune with God?
© Gary Lau 2013
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