Photo of woman praying licensed through depositphotos.com
Training for More than Muscles
The definition of exercise is “to exert energy for muscle development.” Exercise usually relates to building the physical body, but we also have spiritual muscle that needs development. Physical exercise takes place with the physical body and is more familiar to each of us because it takes place in the natural world of what is seen, touched, and heard. On the other hand, spiritual exercise takes place in the unseen world. Spiritual exercise is the soul on its knees, before God in prayer.
Carrying Extra Weight—Physically and Spiritually
Just as we recognize the consequences of carrying extra physical weight, the same applies to our spiritual lives. Physical weight slows us down, steals our energy, and changes the way we see ourselves. Eventually, the discomfort leads us to seek a solution — typically a structured fat-loss program that promises results when consistently followed.
Spiritually, we also carry weight—wounds, unconfessed sin, bitterness, fear, shame, unforgiveness — that drags us down and limits the life God desires for us. But this weight is less visible. It hides in the inner man where only God sees it. Often, we ignore or deny it, but its effects are real—diminished joy, spiritual apathy, and a lack of clarity or peace.
The Real Work Begins on Your Knees
The solution to spiritual weight is not denial or distraction. It’s prayer. But not just any prayer — the kind that refuses to let go until something changes. This is prayer that flows from conviction, not convenience. It’s heartfelt, persistent, and rooted in faith that God hears and responds to.
True spiritual transformation happens when we consistently come before God with humility, vulnerability, and expectation. Prayer becomes the exercise that stretches our spiritual muscles, builds our faith, and removes the weights holding us back.
Jesus Set the Example
Jesus consistently and passionately spent time in prayer with His Father. His communication with God was so impactful that the lives around Him were changed. During His earthly ministry He taught, preached, healed the sick, and even raised the dead. But of all the things Jesus did that His disciples saw, there was only one thing they specifically asked Him to teach them. They said, “Lord, teach us to pray.” (Luke 11:1) His prayer life wasn’t ritualistic — it was relational. He sought His Father’s Will, poured out His heart, and stayed in communion with God regardless of the circumstances. If Jesus relied on prayer, how much more do we need it?
Why It Matters
As 1 Timothy 4:8 teaches us – Physical training has value, but it’s temporary. Exercising godliness through sincere prayer builds strength that blesses every area of your life—now and for eternity. That’s why this kind of spiritual discipline is worth everything you put into it.
Let’s Get Practical
Action Steps:
- Commit to Spiritual Exercise – Set aside consistent time for prayer and don’t rush it.
- Acknowledge the Weight – Ask God to show you any spiritual weight you’re carrying that’s keeping you from experiencing your best life.
- Pray With Conviction – Pray believing that God hears and answers prayer.
- Be Persistent – Pray until you receive and answer and see breakthrough.
Let your prayer life become the exercise that strengthens your spirit and transforms your life. I encourage you to engage in prayer that changes things—starting today.
To learn more, contact us at www.yourchampionlife.com or via email at support@ronwilliamschampion.com
