Dallas Willard has been quoted in every book I’ve read recently in regards to prayer or spiritual formation (5 or 6 books). He says “Spiritual Formation is the process of transformation of the inmost dimension of the human being, the heart, which is the same as the spirit or will. It is being formed, transformed, in such a way that its natural expression comes to be the deeds of Christ done in the power of Christ” (Willard). Renovare, Richard Foster’s non-profit dedicated to the topic, defines Spiritual Formation as “A process, but it is also a journey through which we open our heart to a deeper connection with God. We are not bystanders in our spiritual lives, we are active participants with God, who is ever inviting us into relationship with him.” (Foster, 2019). The Lexham Theological Workbook uses Paul Pettit’s definition of Spiritual Formation, “the ongoing process of the triune God transforming the believer’s life and character toward the life and character of Jesus – accomplished by the ministry of the spirit in the context of the biblical community”(French, 2022).

 Paul’s words to the church in Ephesus are also a depiction of the process.  “when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³ to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Eph 4:21–24).  Last Sunday, the Pastor defined Spiritual Discipline, the mechanisms of Spiritual Formation, in four words,  “The Seeking God Lifestyle”  (Kendrick, 2025). 

My personal (working, and about as solid as jello in the summer sun) definition of Spiritual Formation would be: The process by which YHWH, through the vehicle of the spiritual disciplines, shapes me into a new creation, what I was always meant to be. Chipping away at the ill fitting things the world has tried to place on me, and cutting off the pieces of diseased identity I have held onto. He’s sanding me down and polishing me up so I reflect him better. He’s shining light on wounds for the purpose of healing and strengthening. Teaching me to live as who I am, the me he made, by showing me who He is. Bringing purpose and pleasure in place of fear and despair. Drawing me close, and teaching me to abide. 

Biblical Understanding Of Spiritual Formation

Peter says in his first letter that God has given us everything we need for a Godly life, so we need to do the work, and when we do the work it makes/keeps us as useful tools for God. This scripture highlights what the evidence or outcomes of spiritual formation are, and why we need it. We are able to grow. 

“³ His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. ⁴ Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. ⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. ⁸ For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. ¹⁰ Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, ¹¹ and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”  (2 Pe 1:3–11). 

Peter’s final words in his second letter were imploring us to grow.  ¹⁷ Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. “¹⁸ But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”  (2 Pe 3:17–18).

The spiritual disciplines are tools for our growth, through them we learn to hear and respond.  “³ The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴ When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. ( Jn 10:3–4).  I think of The Mandalorian, Phil Wickham, and John Marc Comer, they all declare the same thing as the most important thing. Training, Practicing, Living “The Way”.  “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (1 Ti 4:8). “The Way” IS Jesus Christ. ⁵ Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” ⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. (Jn 14:5–6).

Solitude. This is an essential staple in my life. It is the foundational component to a productive sabbath for me. I notice it quickly when I don’t have enough of it. All my other private disciplines hinge on this one. My ability to do the public and corporate ones are greatly impacted by this one. Mark 1:35 is a theme verse in my life right now. It’s popping up everywhere, and I have written it on a large piece of paper and posted it on my wall. God is really calling me quite strongly into something new in my prayer life. An essential component to that is this. Solitude. ³⁵ And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” (Mk 1:35). God uses solitude to correct me, to refresh me, to encourage me, without solitude I quickly decline into a less present, less useful version of myself. 

Fasting, I remember in class we discussed that fasting is not required by God for us now according to scripture, non the less, it has been extremely formative to me. It increases my awareness of my need for God. It has been essential in maintaining my self control in all other areas of my life. It builds self discipline in me faster than any other tool God has given me thus far. 

Prayer, a conversation with God. Conversation is both active and passive, listening and responding, ¹⁰ The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” ( 1 Sa 3:10). Prayer is asking and obeying, Noah built the ark, Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac, Jesus asked God to take the task, and also promised to carry it out. Prayer is lamenting and praising. “Prayer is what Moses did with God in the tent, it is what Jesus did with the Father in Gethsemani. It’s brutally honest, naked, and vulnerable. It’s when your deepest desires and fears and hopes and dreams leak out of your mouth with no inhibition. It’s when you feel safe and heard and loved. It’s the kind of relational exchange you can’t get enough of.” (Comer, 2017). My favourite example of this is in Psalm 69, David’s imagery in the beginning is SO dramatic. He lays out all his emotions before God, including anger and requests for vengeance and suffering for his enemies. Through this process he comes to the end of himself, he cast his cares on God, and was then able to take a deep breath and worship God rightly and genuinely in spite of his hardship.

Study. I am automatically reminded of Psalm 119, specifically the “Beth” section (I’ll quote it properly under the next discipline). Also Paul’s words to Timothy; 

¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it

¹⁵ and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

¹⁶ All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.  (2 Ti 3:14–17.) 

Studying the bible makes you wise, it convicts, and teaches you how to live rightly. 

Meditation. This one also draws my mind to the same scripture from Psalm 119 

This is such a clear depiction to me of what meditation is. After studying, understanding the context/author’s intended purpose, then dwell there. Memorize it, ponder it, picture it, pray it, dwell. 

Simplicity,  I call it minimalism. This is in part about possessions, not having an abundance of things, but also minimalism in mind clutter. “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” ( Lk 12:15).  Living simply helps to make you more effective for the kingdom. Owning less stuff means you spend less time working to care for your stuff. Owning too much stuff is also proven to negatively impact mental health. The Centre for addiction and Mental Health says that Clutter can be physical, owning an abundance of things. It could even be digital, unread messages, full phone storage, etc. It can often be emotional or mental, like beliefs that hold us back in life and make it difficult for us to function. Clutter can cause feelings of stress, fatigue and depression. These symptoms can cause poor sleep, eating habits and overall health (Ferguson, 2019). The good news is that,  “³ You (God) keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Is 26:30). 

Worship. Any word or deed done in reverence to and adoration of God, not a song, but all of my being, surrendered to His will.  “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ² Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” ( Ro 12:1–2). Worship is obviously good because He deserves it. And it is categorically NOT about us trying to get something from God. BUT in His goodness, He designed us as such to be fueled by it! Worship is healing and humbling and it brings a sense of joy and peace and security that cannot be found anywhere else. When we live a life of worship we are being our truest selves. We are fulfilling our purpose, which causes us to be fuelled in all the best ways. “¹³ The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ec 12:13).

Submission & Service. Humility. Laying down what I want in favour of loving another.  Doing what needs doing, as service unto the Lord. ²³ Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Col 3:23–24). Ephesians 6:7 is virtually identical to this. So clearly it was a message that was needed across communities. And still is. (1,120 words)

Confession & Guidance. “¹³ Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” (Pr 28:13). Confession is like exposing a wound to fresh air and sunlight. It heals it. The fresh air stings an open wound sometimes. Sometimes we want to cover it to reduce the pain. But while we try to hide it with our sweaty palms and dirty rags we are causing infection. We must allow the healing process, even when we are scared of the temporary discomfort, or we will perpetuate and increase our own pain. In order for wounds to heal, they need to be exposed. “If the presence of God is what you want, confession is part of the deal, a really good part of the deal” (Staton, 2022).   ¹² “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. ¹³ But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. ( Jn 16:12–13). The Holy Spirit WILL guide us into ALL truth.  “¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” (Eph 6:18–20). We pray for others, and for ourselves, that our words would make known the truth, the gospel, that we would be good ambassadors. With humility and the guidance of the Holy Spirit we can give good spiritual guidance to others, and accept it from others. 

Celebration. “¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Th 5:16–18). Out of all these disciplines, when used rightly as the vehicle, and not the destination, we live our lives with joy filled hearts, our spiritual well being is not dictated by our circumstance. Our minds are stabilized through intimacy with God. We have peace and purpose and focus. And in all of these things, we see rightly that our source is only and always Him, and thus, praise is chronically, habitually, consistently rising up out of us. 

The Importance of Spiritual Formation in the Current Cultural Setting

John Ortberg asked Dallas Willard “What do I need to do to become the me I want to be?” His response was “You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life. Hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life in our day” Corrie Ten Boom said “If the devil can’t make you sin, he will make you busy” Hurry is the root problem underneath so many of the symptoms of toxicity in our world. (Comer, 2019. Bethke, 2019) Slowness is a priority that isn’t specifically listed in the disciplines, but it is definitively vital to spiritual formation. I believe that it fits into so many of them as a key although maybe an unspoken factor. Slowness is essential in prayer, in solitude, in simplicity, in confession, in spiritual guidance, in meditation and study. God WALKED in the cool of the day (Gen 3). Mary and Martha begged Jesus to heal Lazarus, Jesus WAITED three days (Jn 11). God is not in a rush. We must follow His rhythms, not try to coax him into showing up in our toxic busyness.  

God is always giving confirmation and encouragement and conviction in the clearest ways lately. Or maybe He’s not being more clear, but through my spiritual formation I’m better able to discern what He is saying, but either way, it is because of His grace. He is so good. This week’s sermon discussed this exact issue. We live in a culture that has an insatiable drive for “happiness”. The next relationship, the next job, the next car, the next outfit, the next trip, whatever it is, it’s somewhere else, and we grind to get to it, only to reach that point and discover that happiness is at a different next thing. Because the reality is that true contentment is only found in a deeply intimate relationship with God. Spiritual Formation is the outcome of that relationship (Kendrick, 2025). Spiritual Formation is essential to personal identity. In a world that tells you that nothing about yourself is “for sure” and everything is fluid, having identity rooted in Christ is essential to every aspect of the human experience. The way to have a solid identity is to know by whom you were created, and what for. We were designed by God, for connection to God. The more we learn His identity the more we understand our own.The bible has hundreds of clues (and bold flashing signs) to help us map out our identity, and through prayer God will continue that work by highlighting individual aspects of the ways he has made us unique.  Spiritual Formation is essential to identifying truth. Building our knowledge base of God’s character through scripture and intimacy helps us to know when something isn’t him. We have a sense of when our culture’s false/demonic/heretical spirituality is being a “wolf in sheep’s clothing”.  Spiritual Formation is essential to Kingdom Building. A natural byproduct of building intimacy with God is that we will naturally become compelled to point others toward him. The way we live will draw them, and our love for him will provoke us to share the truth of who he is. Most importantly,  Spiritual Formation is Essential to Honouring God.  ⁶ No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.” (1 Jn 3:5–6). For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.” ( Ro 6:19). We cannot continue to live in sin, as though we are not alive in Christ, I think there would be no greater dishonour to Christ’ sacrifice than to live as though it didn’t “work” and we are not free from the control of habitual sin.

Prayer

Prayer. I just, as I typed that word, was reminded that this whole semester the theme for our weekly Chapel services has been “Conversations with God”. It’s so wildly encouraging and exciting to me the crazy ways He has been working in my life this semester, but even more just in the last week or two. Thirty-three is going to be my best year yet. I Read a book on the weekend called “Praying like Monks, Living like Fools” . God used it to be simultaneously incredibly convicting and encouraging. A quote from the introduction had me hooked right away. It reads “Most of us get about knee deep in the Christian life, discover that the water feels fine, and stop there. We never swim in the depths of the divine intimacy that Jesus wants for us.” (Staton, 2022). I don’t want to wade in the shallows of intimacy. I want to dive deeply into the adventure and purpose and freedom that God designed me for. I want to be in constant communion with him. I want to live life ever dwelling in His presence. I want to be so full of Him that I spill and leak Jesus in such a way that others are drawn to the freedom and joy He has given me. 

“Praying like Monks, Living like Fools” talked about how we were designed to rule over the earth, to partner with God in caring for his creation. Staton expressed that one way we do that now is through intercession. God does not need our prayers in order to act. He does not ask us to join because he needs our help (Staton, 2022). He asks us for the same reason my brother asks his 3 year old daughter to “help” him fix his motorcycle. He is calling her into connection, and teaching her how to live. Because he loves her, he likes having her near him. The job is messier with her help, and he does not want to do it without her. Staton’s thoughts were an additional level of confirmation in what God had already been leading me to. In prayer, we are invited to join Him in directing the course of His world (Comer, 2017. Staton, 2022. Jethani, 2021.) . 

A few weeks ago I was kind of randomly provoked to start praying intentionally, and specifically for dozens of people by name. I organized them into categories and posted them on my dorm room walls. A few days after this I asked my friend Jess, she is our Residence Director (basically campus Mom), “What have you been praying for me about?” and she said, “Actually I’ve been praying for your intercession ministry.”. This isn’t something I’ve ever really been intentional in this way about before, nor did she know I was doing it. I’m so excited about the ways God is calling me to a deeper connection with Him, and I’m so thankful that He is so gracious and faithful to continually encourage and confirm the plan for me in such clear and tangible ways. I’ve been praying for the campus with Katie-Lynn on Friday mornings before chapel. I’ve been randomly praying for students in texts. He is showing me a new way of being. I didn’t really ever consider how much better it (prayer) could get, or how naturally it would come, but I’m so thankful.

 I reread another book over the weekend called “What if Jesus Was Serious About Prayer?”. One of the chapters is “Prayer is what we MUST do, not just what we ought to do”. Those who believe they ought to pray do so because it is the expectation of any person who wants to take, or be perceived as taking, religion seriously. Deep down, the “ought to” pray-ers suspect that their lives wouldn’t be that different with or without prayer. Those who pray because they MUST, do so because they recognize their overwhelming dependence on God (Jethani, 2021). God has been moving me this month, out of obligation and into a deep insatiable craving for communion with Him. Another chapter focused on the truth that prayer is about relating to God, not controlling him. God is not manipulated by human words or actions, none is more powerful than him. He asks us to make our requests known because he wants to give good gifts, he wants to talk to us (Jethani, 2021). This is so freeing to me. I don’t need to try to coerce God into doing things my way. He has good plans. I can just partner with him. 

Another chapter highlights that prayer is not definitively inactive. God’s intervention does not require us to freeze, we partner with him. We aren’t meant to have a “prayer life” as one aspect of who we are, like a “work life”. We are meant to have a praying life (Jethani, 2021). The point being that our whole lived experience would be in communion with Him. 

Prayer CAN get God to change things. God loves honest prayers of desperate faith, and he does respond to us. James calls the prayers of the righteous powerful and effective (James 5:16). Prayer is not just going through the motions, but because we believe this lie, no wonder we experience no power in it. It is meant to alter us, and it can alter the course of the history of the world. God gave us prayer, as to offer us the dignity of being “causes”. We are to be in communion with Him, “we are invited to join him in directing the course of His world.” (Comer, 2017. Jethani, 2021).

The book has over 50 of these “if Jesus was serious about prayer, then….” chapters. Each chapter is associated with relevant scriptures. My main takeaway from this book was just that so often prayer is an afterthought in my culture, and in my own life. We “say a prayer” when someone gets cancer or before we eat, but are we living prayer filled, prayer fueled lives? I feel that God has shined light on this major issue in my own life, especially in the last couple weeks. I know that he is moving. He is exposing it for the purpose of healing and growth, and I am pumped.

 I’ve restarted “The Awe of God” as my morning devotional for this season, it is so “on time” just as everything else He is doing and saying lines up, so does this. Today’s passage was confirmation of what I was saying above about prayer, that its two ways, its listening, and responding. “In Psalms we read ‘My heart has heard you say ‘come and talk with me.’ And my heart responds, ‘LORD, I am coming’” (Ps 27:8). Do you hear the call to intimacy? He desires for you to come close, to interact, laugh together, share together, and do life together. The psalmist also writes, ‘The LORD is a friend to those who fear Him’ (Ps 25:14). The firm reality is this, God wants to be close and intimate with you.” (Bevere, 2023).  

Conclusion

In closing, I came into this course with a reasonable understanding of, and what I thought was reasonably robust participation in, the disciplines. God was for sure using them to produce spiritual formation in my life. In the process of devoting more time to studying them, to contemplation and prayer and process, my commitment to building a life ordered around them has grown exponentially. I wouldn’t say that it is so much my understanding that has grown, as much as a revelation of them. Cognitively, they are the same, but in my guts, I understand them as the precious vehicles that lead me to His presence. Exodus 34:6-7 is the most quoted passage of the bible, in the bible. It states, ⁶ The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, ⁷ keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.” (Ex 34:5–7). God tells us His name. Because Moses asked “Show me your glory” is that a prayer I am willing to pray? Or would I rather wait at the base of the mountain and get the report from someone who was willing to do the work of the climb? Am I courageous enough to ask for God to come that close? “There is a mystery to God that we never quite figure out, after all we are dealing with a being who is totally unlike any other in the universe. Do I have the courage to step into the cloud? To abandon myself to a life of dangerous, risky, “I won’t stop for anything” pursuit of God?” (Comer, 2017) 

God has been talking to me in the book Hindes Feet On High Places, it’s my bedtime book right now. I’ve also been investigating ways that I’ve built identity in wounds and how those things hold me back from being the best vessel, based on the scripture  “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” (Eph 4:1, Similarly, Phil 1:27)). God was tying the process that “Much Afraid” goes through to what He is calling me to in this season. The process is hard, and stings sometimes, but He will heal her so that she can leap to high places with Him, because the seed of love he has planted in her, will give her the strength she needs to do the work, and the work is what builds her “Hindes Feet” and building “Hindes Feet” allows her to go to the High Places with the King of Love. Psalm 46 so beautifully represents this process.

It is just another cool tie in. I just think He is so kind and gracious to continue to confirm in little ways on the outside what He tells me in my guts. And it just makes me so happy and excited. HE IS SO SO GOOD. So, all that I know so far is that time in His presence increases my obedience to His will. Obedience to His will increases my desire for His presence. This is His beautiful design for His glory and my good, and I’ll never finish saying it. There is an old Hymn called “The Love of God” that expresses almost adequately how I feel right now. It declares,