The Practices of M2L
Full Reference
A menu of 27 ways to be with God. Let the Holy Spirit lead you.
| # | Practice | Purpose | Example | Scripture |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STILLNESS AND WAITING | ||||
| 1 | Stillness and Quiet Before God | Becoming present and calming our inner world. To acknowledge God and silence distractions. | Sit quietly and whisper, "Here I am, Lord." | Ps 46:10 |
| 2 | Waiting on the Lord | Remaining present without rushing. God renews and strengthens in waiting. | Sit silently with God for several minutes. | Isa 40:31 |
| 3 | Resting in God's Presence | Being with God without effort or striving. Love grows in rest. | Sit quietly with God like with a close friend. | Ex 33:14 |
| 4 | Breath Prayers | Pair breathing with short phrases of love and trust directed toward Him. | Inhale: "Jesus, You are worthy." Exhale: "I am Yours." | Phil 4:6–7 |
| 5 | Listening to God | Attentive openness to Scripture and the Spirit. To know His heart and direction. | "Lord, what do You want to show me?" | Jn 10:27 |
| ADORATION AND WORSHIP | ||||
| 6 | Adoration | Declaring who God is. To align our hearts upward. | "You are holy. You are good. You are merciful." | Ps 145:3 |
| 7 | Declaring God the Father's Attributes | Speaking who God is by His revealed names and nature. | "You are Yahweh Shalom — the LORD my Peace. You are El Roi — the God who sees me." | Ex 3:14; Ps 9:10 |
| 8 | Meditating on Jesus' Names and Attributes | Slowly reflecting on who Jesus is through His titles, works, and character. | "Jesus, You are the Bread of Life, the Good Shepherd, the True Vine." | Jn 6:35; 10:11 |
| 9 | Honoring the Holy Spirit's Presence and Work | Welcoming the Spirit's fellowship, submitting to His leading, thanking Him for His ministry. | "Holy Spirit, You are my Helper, my Comforter, my Teacher." | Jn 14:16, 26 |
| 10 | Worship With All We Are | Loving God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength. The greatest commandment. | Lift hands or bow: "I love You, Lord." | Mt 22:37 |
| 11 | Reverence and Awe | Honoring God's holiness. To worship Him rightly. | Kneel in awe before Him. | Heb 12:28 |
| SCRIPTURE AND LISTENING | ||||
| 12 | Meditating on Scripture | Slowly chewing on God's words. To let His Word shape our desires. | Repeat slowly: "The Lord is my Shepherd…" | Josh 1:8 |
| 13 | Scripture Soaking | Reading one verse slowly and letting it lead to adoration, not information. | Read one verse. Pause. Ask: "What is God revealing to me?" | Ps 119:15 |
| 14 | Gazing in Wonder | Focusing on one attribute of God and adoring Him for it. | Focus on one attribute — Shepherd, Holy, Redeemer — and let it fill your heart. | Ps 27:4 |
| 15 | Remembering God's Works | Calling to mind His deeds. Strengthens faith and worship. | "You helped me before — You will help again." | Ps 103:2 |
| RECEIVING AND YIELDING | ||||
| 16 | Thanksgiving | Recognizing God's works and connecting them to His character. | "Thank You for life, strength, and Your mercy today." | Ps 136:1 |
| 17 | Confession and Humbling | Agreeing with God about our sins and weaknesses. To walk in the light. | "Forgive my harsh words yesterday." | 1 Jn 1:9 |
| 18 | Surrender and Yielding | Offering our desires and plans to God. Surrender opens the door to transformation. | "My time and plans are Yours today." | Rom 12:1 |
| 19 | Offering Ourselves Afresh | Recommitting ourselves to God. He deserves our whole life. | "Use my words and actions today for You." | Rom 6:13 |
| 20 | Drawing Near With Confidence | Approaching God boldly because of Jesus. Removes guilt, shame, and distance. | "I come boldly because of Jesus' blood." | Heb 10:22 |
| LOVE AND COMMUNION | ||||
| 21 | Pouring Out Love to God | Speaking or expressing affection. Love grows when expressed. | Softly sing or whisper: "You are worthy." | 1 Jn 4:19 |
| 22 | Receiving God's Love | Opening up to His affection and presence. We love because He loved us first. | "Father, I receive Your love right now." | Rom 5:5 |
| 23 | Asking for More of God | Asking God to increase our desire, hunger, and capacity for Him. | "Give me a greater desire for You." | Ps 86:11 |
| 24 | Communion With the Spirit | Enjoying God's presence and fellowship. Eternal life is knowing Him. | "You are here with me, Lord." | Jn 17:3 |
| 25 | Delighting in the Lord | Taking joy in who God is. God desires joyful intimacy. | Smile: "You are my joy." | Ps 37:4 |
| 26 | Enjoying God | Simply enjoying God's presence. God delights in our delight of Him. | Enjoy a sunrise with God in silence. | Ps 16:11 |
| 27 | Journaling in His Presence | Writing love notes, gratitude, or what you sense He is showing you. | Write what comes to your heart as you sit with Him. | Hab 2:2 |
Stillness and Waiting
1. Stillness and Quiet Before God
Becoming present and calming our inner world. To acknowledge God and silence distractions.
Sit quietly and whisper, "Here I am, Lord."
2. Waiting on the Lord
Remaining present without rushing. God renews and strengthens in waiting.
Sit silently with God for several minutes.
3. Resting in God's Presence
Being with God without effort or striving. Love grows in rest.
Sit quietly with God like with a close friend.
4. Breath Prayers
Pair breathing with short phrases of love and trust directed toward Him.
Inhale: "Jesus, You are worthy." Exhale: "I am Yours."
5. Listening to God
Attentive openness to Scripture and the Spirit. To know His heart and direction.
"Lord, what do You want to show me?"
Adoration and Worship
6. Adoration
Declaring who God is. To align our hearts upward.
"You are holy. You are good. You are merciful."
7. Declaring God the Father's Attributes
Speaking who God is by His revealed names and nature.
"You are Yahweh Shalom — the LORD my Peace. You are El Roi — the God who sees me."
8. Meditating on Jesus' Names and Attributes
Slowly reflecting on who Jesus is through His titles, works, and character.
"Jesus, You are the Bread of Life, the Good Shepherd, the True Vine."
9. Honoring the Holy Spirit's Presence and Work
Welcoming the Spirit's fellowship, submitting to His leading, thanking Him for His ministry.
"Holy Spirit, You are my Helper, my Comforter, my Teacher."
10. Worship With All We Are
Loving God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength. The greatest commandment.
Lift hands or bow: "I love You, Lord."
11. Reverence and Awe
Honoring God's holiness. To worship Him rightly.
Kneel in awe before Him.
Scripture and Listening
12. Meditating on Scripture
Slowly chewing on God's words. To let His Word shape our desires.
Repeat slowly: "The Lord is my Shepherd…"
13. Scripture Soaking
Reading one verse slowly and letting it lead to adoration, not information.
Read one verse. Pause. Ask: "What is God revealing to me?"
14. Gazing in Wonder
Focusing on one attribute of God and adoring Him for it.
Focus on one attribute — Shepherd, Holy, Redeemer — and let it fill your heart.
15. Remembering God's Works
Calling to mind His deeds. Strengthens faith and worship.
"You helped me before — You will help again."
Receiving and Yielding
16. Thanksgiving
Recognizing God's works and connecting them to His character.
"Thank You for life, strength, and Your mercy today."
17. Confession and Humbling
Agreeing with God about our sins and weaknesses. To walk in the light.
"Forgive my harsh words yesterday."
18. Surrender and Yielding
Offering our desires and plans to God. Surrender opens the door to transformation.
"My time and plans are Yours today."
19. Offering Ourselves Afresh
Recommitting ourselves to God. He deserves our whole life.
"Use my words and actions today for You."
20. Drawing Near With Confidence
Approaching God boldly because of Jesus. Removes guilt, shame, and distance.
"I come boldly because of Jesus' blood."
Love and Communion
21. Pouring Out Love to God
Speaking or expressing affection. Love grows when expressed.
Softly sing or whisper: "You are worthy."
22. Receiving God's Love
Opening up to His affection and presence. We love because He loved us first.
"Father, I receive Your love right now."
23. Asking for More of God
Asking God to increase our desire, hunger, and capacity for Him.
"Give me a greater desire for You."
24. Communion With the Spirit
Enjoying God's presence and fellowship. Eternal life is knowing Him.
"You are here with me, Lord."
25. Delighting in the Lord
Taking joy in who God is. God desires joyful intimacy.
Smile: "You are my joy."
26. Enjoying God
Simply enjoying God's presence. God delights in our delight of Him.
Enjoy a sunrise with God in silence.
27. Journaling in His Presence
Writing love notes, gratitude, or what you sense He is showing you.
Write what comes to your heart as you sit with Him.