Spiritual Disciplines

As I mentioned here, I have been reading Richard Foster's book Celebration of Discipline. The chapter I am on currently is talking about fasting. Foster notes that there is a lot of controversy over whether or not people should fast, and how long they should fast, and what they should fast for. There is also a chapter on meditation, which also is an issue filled with controversy for Christians. The meditation Foster speaks of is not the eastern, mystical, close your eyes and start floating kind, but simply a decision to train your thoughts to be constantly turned towards God. Other authors I have read have also mentioned the benefits of this practice, and yet it is one that, in the modern church, is not only ignored, but almost taboo. Certain forms of praying also seem to be rejected in favor of others, prayer for things like real healing, or for God to actively engage himself with our country. Prayers for lives to be changed. Sure we say that we pray daily, in our devotions, or over our food, but the majority of the time, that is where our prayer life ends.

My question is this: if the early church utilized such practices, why do we not do so any longer? Why do we reject that which those who walked and talked with Jesus saw fit to help them grow in their faith? It bothers me that the church seems to have put up a wall around itself, almost in fear of the spiritual. When people say they have heard from God, our first response is skepticism, or downright disbelief. Other times people say that they under satanic attack, but they are treated as if they were simply struggling with themselves, or a sin that was commonly in their lives.

The spiritual disciplines, to me, seem to be at the heart of opening yourself to God and His direction, and yet so few people even know what they are (I didn't, until recently). Perhaps, instead of shying away from those things which allow us to draw near to God, in every way humanly possible, they should instead be embraced and practiced regularly. Perhaps, we should stop doubting what other people say about their experiences, and try for ourselves whatever it is that has allowed them this clarity of thought.