76. What disciplines will nurture faith and maintain abiding in God’s presence?
We must embrace disciplines of private worship, public worship, and perpetual worship.
77. What are the disciplines of private worship?
The disciplines of private worship are meditation, private prayer, and memorization, which seek to behold reflect and magnify God’s glory in solitude (Mt 6:1-9).
78. What does discipline of meditation entail?
Meditation is beholding God’s glory in His Word, by reverently interrogating the meaning of Scripture, particularly in its analogies, for its interpretation and application, and often accompanied by journaling (Jas 1:25; Ps 1:2).
79. What do we seek in meditation?
We seek God’s mind on Himself, His people, and the world, wherein we will find His glory (Ps 119:15, 2 Tim 3:16-17).
80. What does the discipline of private prayer entail?
Private prayer responds to our meditations with adoration of God’s revealed glory, thanksgiving for His works, confession of our sins and consecration of our lives, supplication for our needs and intercession for others (Col 3:16; Phil 4:6).
81. How should we pray?
Vital, lively prayer is prayed in faith (Matthew 21:22), in full sincerity (Matt 6:7), and with persistence (Col 4:2).
82. What does the discipline of memorization entail?
Memorization is committing to memory Scripture passages and Christian verse, and regularly refreshing what has been memorized (Ps 119:11)
83. What may aid us in these disciplines?
An excellent hymnbook, a book of Christian verse, a book of prayers, devotional classics, a journal in which to write, prayer lists, Bible study aids, and an alarm to wake us.
About David de Bruyn
David de Bruyn pastors New Covenant Baptist Church in Johannesburg, South Africa. He is a graduate of Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Minnesota and the University of South Africa (D.Th.). Since 1999, he has presented a weekly radio program that is heard throughout much of central South Africa. He also blogs at Churches Without Chests.
