What Is Your Spiritual Temperament?

Who are you? 

How do you pray? 

The two are connected. 

Prayer is a practice you learn, and it is influenced by your personality. As we are becoming apprentices of Jesus, learning to pray is important. 

Prayer isn't the same for everyone. There isn't one way to pray. How we connect with God is different for each person. 

Gary Thomas, in his book Sacred Pathways, offers something very interesting - a personality theory for prayer. He wrote, "There is great freedom in how we can meet with and enjoy God. This is by his design and according to his good pleasure." I love his focus on opening up prayer, widening our approach to God. 

He offers several spiritual temperaments. I wonder to which combination you are naturally drawn? 

The Naturalist:

These are people who connect with God most easily in nature, walking in the forest or visiting a park. For these people, sitting in the wind is a way they can hear and experience the Holy Spirit in their lives. 

The Sensate:

These people love God through the senses. They are likely to create environments of prayer which include candles, lighting, warm coffee, and/or a crackling fireplace. The physical environment helps them connect with God. 

The Traditionalist:

Christian rhythm, symbol, and liturgy create a space in which these people most easily hear God. The church year, the church colors, the order of service,  living into the sacred rhythms of the church are central for the traditionalist. 

The Contemplative: 

Space. Solitude and silence. Self-denial. The need to get alone and cut off the world's input is essential for these people in their maturing relationship with God. Silent prayer is one of their strongest spiritual disciplines. They love God through ascetic practices and quiet adoration. 

The Activist: 

The deep desire to be part of healing the injustice rampant in a sinful world marks the Activist's spiritual temperament. They feel led by the Spirit to speak out against racism, social inequality, and systemic poverty, and such. In doing so, they deeply connect with God. 

The Caregiver:

Their spiritual temperament is characterised by caring for those in need. It could be locally, in their own homes, or communally, through their church. But meeting with and enjoying God is found through helping and caring for others. 

The Enthusiast:

Untethered creativity. These people might be spotted praying through music, dance, and celebration. Their expression of faith is creative and artistic. Their life is the color of prayer. 

The Intellectual:

They love God with the mind. It is the careful study of God's Word, deep reflection on theology and all its facets which bring joy, fulfillment, and closeness to God in the life of the intellectual.

Prayer isn't the same for everyone.

Not one is better than the other. They are expressions, derived from your God-given personality, of how you love God and pray. 

Your unique combination is how you best pray - your personality theory of prayer.  To deepen and grow in your faith, understand how you best connect with God. 

What is your combination? 

Blessings as you journey The Way! 

Pastor Paul