J.C. Ryle, the great 19th century pastor and theologian had some stuff to say about spiritual disciplines (Bible intake, prayer, meditation, worship, etc.). In his book Holiness, he writes:

Here are the roots of true Christianity. Wrong here, a man is wrong all the way through. Here is the whole reason why many professing Christians never seem to get on; they are careless and slovenly about their private prayers. They read their Bibles but little and with very little heartiness of spirit. They give themselves no time for self-inquiry and quiet thought about the state of their souls. (p. 89)

I think any of us could think of reasons that we don’t read our Bibles and pray enough. But let’s encourage one another by answering this question: “What has helped you (or what have your parents done to help you) to practice the spiritual disciplines, meet with God regularly, read his word, and pray?”

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