Definition
The following quote from “A Man’s Guide to Spiritual Disciplines” by Patrick Morley provides a useful definition of Spiritual Disciplines:
“Spiritual disciplines are the regular practice men cultivate when they want a closer walk with Christ. The spiritual disciplines can help us break a cycle or get out of a rut. Disciplines are the spiritual habits by which we cultivate a deeper relationship with the Lord of heaven and earth. We perform the disciplines because we want to please God, to lead peaceable lives, to be godly husbands, to raise godly children and to be men of God.”
The quote was written for a male audience but has equal application to everyone. Spiritual disciplines will not save you. We are saved by grace through faith! However, the spiritual disciplines are essential for growth.
Brief History
In 2012, the Men’s Group at Westside Community Church in Trinidad & Tobago studied two books covering Spiritual Disciplines:
- “A Man’s Guide to Spiritual Disciplines” by Patrick Morley, and
- “Celebration of Discipline” by Richard Foster.
At the end of the study, the group decided to put into practice what was learned by dedicating time every day over Lent in 2013 to focus on selected Disciplines. This amounts to 40 days not counting Sundays. This was the birth of “40 Days of Discipline”. Soon other members of the church joined the journey and now, in the twelfth year there are participants across the globe.
Background and Instructions
While recognizing that there is a long list of potential Spiritual Disciplines, the 40 Days of Discipline program focuses on eleven that the original participants focused on back in 2013. Background material for each Discipline is provided in a document which can be accessed by selecting the Discipline tab in the menu for this website. Please note that the background material on the Disciplines is predominantly based on the two books mentioned above.
The Journey starts on Ash Wednesday, and ends on Easter Sunday. In prior years, participants received a brief e-mail directing them to the blog post for the day. In 2026, we will only issue daily e-mails during the first three days (starting Ash Wednesday), and during Holy Week. For the remaining five weeks, a weekly challenge related to the Disciplines will be communicated all participants. Participants will self-govern how they participate in the challenges. The challenges will be communicated the week before they are applicable. The daily blog will still be available, but there will be no need for daily instructions or commentary during the five week of challenges.
Many of you have been participating in 40 Days of Discipline for many years. Since the approach this year is very different from prior years, to avoid confusion, here is a summary of what stays the same and what changes:
The following activities were the same as prior years:
- We engaged in a group study of a selected Bible passage over the next three days.
- Saturdays were reserved for catching up and reflecting.
- Sundays are not included in the 40 days of Lent.
- During the final week we will focus on the Passion of Jesus.
The changes for 2026 are as follows:
- There will be no focus on specific Disciplines.
- For five weeks, challenges will be issued and you will engage with the challenges without daily instructions.
- The blog will be available, but there will be no expectation of daily commentary.