My husband and I had the opportunity to minister in Italy for a few years, where we oversaw a small Salvation Army ministry in the center of Rome. One of our congregants invited us to visit his home in a small rural area outside of the city. We arrived at a very modest house with a surprisingly grand entrance — a row of trellises laden with grapevines. We marveled at the abundance of grape clusters and asked our host for his secret. “The trellis,” he replied. “The vines would never be this healthy nor the grapes so plentiful without the trellis to lift them off the ground and serve as a supportive structure.” He explained that the trellis allowed the vine to get more light, have more space to breathe, and helped guide the vine in the right direction.

In his book “Practicing the Way,” John Mark Comer explains that the term “rule of life” is an ancient phrase used as a focused plan for spiritual formation. The Latin word for “rule” is equivalent to “ruler” or literally a straight piece of wood. This definition echoes the purpose of the trellis in a vineyard. For the branches of the vine to “bear much fruit” (John 15:5), they need structure to thrive. If we want to thrive spiritually, we must be intentional. Just as the vine-dresser weaves the branches through the trellis for optimal growth, so must we have structure to stay true to our commitment to Christ and grow spiritually healthy.

Simply put, a rule of life is about increasing our intentionality in partnering with God for our own spiritual formation. It’s important to recognize that these spiritual rhythms (practices, disciplines) are not a “magic bullet” for achieving holiness by just checking off items on our Christian to-do list. Instead, engaging in these practices opens us up to the Holy Spirit’s work within us. Only the Holy Spirit can truly transform us spiritually; our rule of life simply makes us available to hear His voice and be receptive to His work. Therefore, the first step is to sit in Christ’s presence and ask, “What in my life feeds my soul and what leaves my soul empty?”

Where do I begin?

1. Listen.

Spend time quietly in prayer, discerning the deepest desire and longing of your heart. What spiritual disciplines allow you to feel most connected to God? 

2. Humility.

Be obedient to what you hear from the Lord. Have no agenda except His; this will bring true fulfillment. Take time to write down the thoughts God places on your heart and mind. Is it an image? Scripture? A word? 

3. Write.

There is no right or wrong way to live out your rule of life. Your pattern for spiritual growth is tailor-made just for you. What ways of engaging in Scripture, praying, worship and service are life-giving to you?

Subtracting and Adding

Once you have a basic idea of rhythms that will bring health and wholeness to your spirit, you may suddenly feel added stress when thinking about how to incorporate them into your already busy life. Now, step back and breathe deeply. Instead of looking for more to add to your busy schedule, start by considering what can be eliminated that does not nourish your soul. 

You might want to consider reducing your time on social media, limiting TV, movies, or YouTube. As Andy Crouch says, “Instead of having our imagination saturated by media, we seek to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. We commit to establishing structured limits for our use of screens and our consumption of entertainment, in terms of quantity, frequency, and moral character.” Oftentimes, the rule of life begins by simplifying a few daily routines.

From Concept to Conception

As you consider what is needed to feed your soul, you will feel a stirring in your heart with a desire to establish a healthier rhythm for your spiritual formation. Ask God to guide you into a pattern that feels natural and becomes a reality. Be mindful of avoidance, procrastination, and excuse-making. Be honest with yourself and the Lord about these patterns, as they create reluctance and doubt in becoming who you want to be in Christ. 

It’s also important to consider small increments when adding new disciplines. For example, you might want to introduce a new rhythm, such as solitude and silence, into your life. Don’t expect this to come easily at first. Instead of blocking out 30 minutes to sit in Christ’s presence, start with only 10 minutes. If you find yourself frustrated by your lack of concentration on the Lord, remind yourself that God is pleased with the intention of your heart. Remember, these disciplines are also referred to as practices. Anything worth developing takes time, and small steps are essential to ensure you don’t move ahead of the Holy Spirit’s plan.

Growing in Peace

We grow in peace when we understand our true desires and pursue them. In his book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” author Ste phen Covey writes, “We achieve inner peace when our schedule aligns with our values.” 

When beginning to develop your pattern for spiritual formation, look around to see people who embody peace. Observe their way of living, ask about their spiritual rhythms, and learn the steps they have taken to include them. Take what works for them and what resonates with you. God has uniquely made you, so no two spiritual formation plans are the same; however, this could serve as a stepping stone to creating your own rule of life.

There are essential rhythms such as engagement in the Scriptures, prayer, worship, and service. With careful research and study, you can discover many ways to practice these rhythms and others.

The Next Step

If you’re interested in exploring specific practices, visit sld.saconnects.org. These include The Prayer of Examen, Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina (sacred reading), Find Yourself in the Story, Journaling, Silence and Solitude, Poised to Hear (fasting), Community, Going Deeper, and many others.

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:16-19 NIV).

Resources

There are many resources available to help develop your Rule of Life. Here are some suggestions to start or renew your spiritual journey:

• “Celebration of Disciplines” by Richard Foster
• “Practicing the Way” by John Mark Comer
• “God in Everything: How an Ancient Rhythm Helps Busy People Enjoy God” by Ken Shigematsu
• “The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives” by Dallas Willard
• “Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation” by Ruth Haley Barton
• “Sacred Pathways: Discover Your Soul’s Path to God” by Gary Thomas

Photo: Maria Hunter \ Getty | This article was originally titled “Spiritual Disciplines: Rule of Life” in the February 2026 issue of The War Cry.