The following scriptures make clear the importance of obedient action. While it is absolutely true that salvation is a gracious gift that does not come by our earning it, that does not mean there will be no effort on our part. Spiritual practices (or disciplines) are the way we create space in our lives for God to speak, and for God to act:
...train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Sometimes the most important part of the discipleship process is the doing, and if we don’t know what to do, or don’t know how to do it, we won’t be able to grow. Seeing and hearing, repenting and believing, should lead naturally to entering and receiving. Read Luke 11:1-4 where the disciples see Jesus praying; they desire the same intimacy with God, but simply don’t know what to do.
What spiritual disciplines should I be practicing, how will I practice them?