Adele Calhoun writes about 62 spiritual disciplines in her book Spiritual Disciplines Handbook.
Disciplines #1 – #6 relate to the general idea of WORSHIP.
Here’s discipline #2 – Gratitude. At its heart the discipline involves “a loving and thankful response toward God for his presence with us and within this world.” (See Psalm 136:1-2; 1 Thess. 5:16-18; Phil. 4:6). It is an attempt to “be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s prompting to live with a grateful heart, cognizant of God’s work in my life and my abundant resources.”
How do you practice this discipline? Speak prayers and sing songs that focus on God’s generosity to us. Gratefully share and give what you have with others as a sign of your thankfulness to God. Consciously express gratitude to others by cultivating a habit of saying “Thank you,” “I am so grateful,” “You are so kind,” etc. Count your blessings. Keep a “gratitude journal” in which you track the many gifts God brings to you. Write a letter of thanks to someone who has touched your life.
Who is this discipline for? When is a prime time to pursue this discipline? If you are trying to curb your critical tendencies, or if you are noticing a lack of gratitude in your heart, or you need to repent of an idol in your life, or if you tend to receive things as entitlements rather than gifts, this discipline is for you.
May God lead you to gratitude this week!
