More from Vanerim Atilano Guadalupe

My 19-year-old niece is curious about her faith in Jesus. Every other month, I receive text messages from her with questions related to the Christian faith. Some of the questions I have received are: How should I pray? How can I pray when I am mentally troubled or overall distracted? How can I know God’s voice if I am still an amateur, distracted, or troubled? What would you say is the hardest question to answer when you are a follower of Christ? Each of these questions demonstrate an interest in understanding and practicing her faith the best way she can.

The questions from my beloved niece motivate me to deepen my faith. They motivate me to look intentionally for answers in the Bible to reaffirm or learn what God says is the right way to live a life dedicated to God.

Growing our faith in God is an everyday exercise. But how can we do this? (This is another question my niece has asked me.) An effective resource is the daily practice of the spiritual disciplines. Some examples of the spiritual disciplines are praying, worshiping, reading/studying the Bible, serving others, recognizing our sinful nature, being grateful for the sacrifice of Jesus, and much more.

A daily practice of spiritual disciplines has helped me live and understand my faith and provide some clarity to my niece. I am certain that as we practice the spiritual disciplines, we will obtain the answers we need.

Let us always respond to the invitation in 2 Peter 3:18, “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen” (NIV).