Creating and Practicing a Rule of Life

A Rule of Life is a set of practices that one engages in regularly in order to strengthen one’s relationship with God and to grow in understanding and expressing that relationship. Areas in which we might create a practice include: prayer, service, study, and rest. To create a workable Rule of Life:

Listen. Study yourself and your life to see where God seems to be calling you. How, when and where do you have the best experience in communicating with God. What is your most fulfilling way of offering your talents to the world. What challenges you in your spiritual journey.

Commit. Make yourself available to God. Make yourself ready to hear what God may be asking of you.

Time and Place. Learn how much time you are able to spend in focused spiritual practices. Learn where the best places are in your home, car, office, etc., to engage in these practices.

Reflection. Try some things out. Keep a record of how well they work and what you’re learning. If a practice isn’t working, replace it with something that will. The best practices are simple and accessible. For instance, noticing something of beauty as you go through your day and thanking God for it is a spiritual practice.

Create the Rule. When you are willing, outline a set of practices. Remember, you can change what isn’t working and fine tune things as you go along.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and The Way of Love

The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Michael Curry, offers a seven facet array of practices to help create a Rule of LIfe. He calls it the Way of Love. The Episcopal Church has gathered a rich abundance of resources to help people learn and practice the Way of Love. To dip in, go HERE.