Five Essential Spiritual Exercises for Finishing Well

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The Washington Post recently ran an article titled “Five Essential Exercises for Aging Well.” It quickly zoomed to the top of their “Most Read” list. As a man in his sixties, I was one of the readers. The exercises included push-ups, dead lifts, pull-ups, squats, and calf raises.

I was obviously familiar with all five. They were, fortunately, well within my reach. For the most part, they don’t require going to the gym or having special equipment. It was just a good reminder that these five are the most important for aging well.

But what of the essential exercises for aging well spiritually? And more to the point, finishing well? Meaning, those essential practices and disciplines, investments and workouts that will help ensure that you stay vibrant in faith and family, vocation and vision?

Consider these.

1. Prayer

The breath of spiritual life is prayer. Physically, we can live 40 days without food and three days without water, but only seconds without breathing. Spiritually, we can do no better. A life without prayer cannot be spiritually alive, no matter what else may be present. It is, as Evelyn Underhill has written, “breathing the air of eternity.”

2. Scripture

The foundation of the Christian mind is the Bible. It is God’s revelation to us and imparts knowledge that cannot be known apart from its revelation. The Bible alone is that which is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating even to divide soul and spirit, joints and marrow, judging the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

3. Silence and Solitude

If we are to live like Jesus, we will seek out silence and solitude. In Mark’s biography in the Bible, we are told that it was the habit of Jesus to rise early, while still dark, and to seek a solitary place to pray (Mk. 1). Luke’s biography notes that Jesus often slipped away to be alone so that He could pray (Lk. 5:16). Thomas Kelly talks of the need to go into the "recreating silences."

4. Fear of God

There is much that has been written about not fearing God. This is often well-intentioned, as too many come before Him cowering in fear, instead of as sons and daughters (Rom. 8). But the Bible speaks about an appropriate “fear” of God that is less discussed, but just as important to grasp. The phrase “fear of the Lord” is about respect for God, honor for God, having a healthy and sound sense that He is there and is to be taken into account. It’s taking God – His existence, His character, His nature – seriously. The fire that warms is also the fire that burns. The guardrails on our lives should be forged out of a healthy fear of God.

5. Gratitude

James reminds us that every good and perfect gift comes from the hand of God (Jas 1:17). I can think of few things that would cause someone to age poorly than to continually see the cup of your life as half-empty, as opposed to half-full. The Psalms are full of rejoinders to remember God’s many gifts and to be grateful. This leads to a life of joy, which overflows from within, as opposed to mere happiness, which depends solely on external circumstances.

Bring these five into your life and see if you don’t age well.

And finish well, too.

James Emery White

Sources

Gretchen Reynolds, “Experts Say These 5 Exercises Are Key to Staying Healthy and Aging Better,” The Washington Post, January 7, 2026, read online.

Evelyn Underhill, “Breathing the Air of Eternity,” Weavings.

Thomas Kelly, A Testament of Devotion.

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James Emery White is the founding and senior pastor of Mecklenburg Community Church in Charlotte, NC, and a former professor of theology and culture at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he also served as their fourth president. His latest book, Hybrid Church: Rethinking the Church for a Post-Christian Digital Age, is now available on Amazon or from your favorite bookseller. To enjoy a free subscription to the Church & Culture blog, visit churchandculture.org where you can view past blogs in our archive, read the latest church and culture news from around the world, and listen to the Church & Culture Podcast. Follow Dr. White on X, Facebook and Instagram at @JamesEmeryWhite.