The Warrior Poet Way: A Guide to Living Free and Dying Well

by John Lovell

As I’ve mentioned, reading the Bible is a daily discipline critical to my spiritual growth. Prayer is also a daily discipline of mine. The goal isn’t to just pray before meals with the family but to “pray without ceasing,” as the apostle Paul admonishes the Thessalonians in the New Testament. It’s a difficult endeavor to be constantly praying in the back of your head as you go through the day, but that’s the call—and it pays massive dividends. Prayer is important to me, because I believe it not only moves God but it also moves me. Prayer helps to shape and replenish me in the most important of ways. I also gain spiritual strength each time I do the right thing, especially when it’s difficult. At the same time, every instance I’m given to outbursts of anger, moments of self-centeredness, or harshness toward my family, my spiritual strength is sapped. Every action and thought moves us all toward greater spiritual strength or weakness, so . . . no pressure, right? HA! I didn’t say any of this would be easy, gentlemen. I promise only that it will be worth it.