'Superficiality is the curse of our age... The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people.'

Most churches teach about prayer and bible study, but how many give in depth teaching about the discipline of solitude, fasting or celebration? This book is a brilliant resource for learning about spiritual disciplines and, as Foster describes it, 'place ourselves before God so that He can transform us.' He emphasises that we cannot earn God's grace but that the disciplines put us in a position to receive more of it. 

Foster writes with humility, combining biblical examples such as prayers of the psalmists with practical tips such as meditative exercises which help us to 'center down' and listen to God. The disciplines he discusses include:

The Inward Disciplines: Meditation; Prayer; Fasting; Study

The Outward Disciplines: Simplicity; Solitude; Submission; Service

The Corporate Disciplines: Confession; Worship; Guidance; Celebration 

This is one of the most pulled-out books in my bookcase. Reading it is easy; applying it is the challenge, but doing so is incredibly rewarding. I would recommend this book to anyone!