Ep 165 // How to Deepen Your Relationship with God: Spiritual Disciplines That Actually Transform You | Monica Ritchie
What does it actually mean to “go deeper with God”?
Pray more. Read your Bible. Be still. Listen for God’s voice. Practice Sabbath. Fast.
We hear these invitations all the time in the Christian life—but sometimes no one tells us how to actually live them out. And even good spiritual practices can quietly become another checklist of things we think we need to do to be a “good Christian.”
In this episode of the Kingdom Life Coaching Podcast, Megan welcomes back Monica Ritchie, author of the new book Fashioned by Faith: Spiritual Disciplines for Deepening Your Relationship with God, for a practical and honest conversation about what it looks like to create space for God to truly transform us.
Monica shares the powerful encounter with God that cracked open her understanding of faith—and why even a dramatic encounter with God isn’t enough to sustain a lifetime of spiritual growth. Real formation happens as we continually turn our hearts toward God and allow Him to shape us in the ordinary rhythms of everyday life.
Megan and Monica explore prayer, fasting, Sabbath, Scripture, silence and solitude, lament, community, discernment, and hearing God’s voice—but without turning spiritual formation into another exercise in Christian performance.
Because spiritual disciplines aren’t about earning God’s love.
You’re already loved. They’re an invitation to deeper relationship.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- Why you can have a powerful encounter with God and still need the slow work of spiritual formation
- How to pursue spiritual disciplines without falling into checklist Christianity or spiritual performance
- Why Monica thinks of sanctification more like a circle than a ladder
- How to recognize the everyday things that may be shaping you more than your faith
- Why prayer isn’t only about talking to God—but creating room to hear from Him
- How “wandering prayer” can turn your distracted thoughts into an opportunity for connection with the Holy Spirit
- How to discern God’s voice while maintaining healthy wisdom and skepticism
- Why fasting may involve much more than giving up food
- How Monica’s own “no-buy” fast exposed the role shopping had begun to play in her life
- Why understanding biblical context can completely change how you experience Scripture and the character of God
- The difference between reading the Bible for information and formation
- Why lament, anger, questions and disappointment don’t scare God
- How to take your struggles “vertically” to God rather than only processing them horizontally with other people
- The important difference between spiritual contentment and complacency
- How to choose one simple spiritual practice that fits the season God has you in right now
A question to carry with you
What is fashioning you right now?
We are all being formed by something—our habits, relationships, schedules, social media feeds, fears, desires, culture, successes and disappointments.
The question isn’t whether you’re being formed. It’s what is forming you—and who are you becoming as a result?
Rather than trying to manufacture spiritual transformation, consider what it might look like to make room for God.
Ask Him:
Lord, what are You inviting me into in this season? Is there a practice that could help me become more attentive to You and more receptive to what You’re doing in me?
You don’t have to master every spiritual discipline. Begin with the invitation God is placing in front of you today.
Connect with Monica Ritchie
Pick up Monica’s new book, Fashioned by Faith: Spiritual Disciplines for Deepening Your Relationship with God, wherever books are sold.
Follow Monica on Instagram and find her on Substack for more conversations about theology, faith and spiritual formation.
And if you enjoy Fashioned by Faith, consider leaving Monica a review on Amazon or Goodreads. Reviews are a simple but meaningful way to support an author and help more readers discover the book.
Connect with Megan
If this conversation stirred a desire to grow in hearing God’s voice, spiritual discernment, and living more intentionally with God, continue exploring these themes through the Kingdom Life Coaching Podcast.
You can also find Megan’s book and journal, Untangled Faith, and learn more about her resources and coaching designed to help you anchor your identity in Christ, align your life with God’s voice, and take faith-filled action.
Listen to Megan’s first conversation with Monica Ritchie:
Ep 142 // How to Understand Scripture (and Love It Again) with Seminarian Monica Ritchie
Connect with Monica:
- Website: monicaritchie.com
- Instagram: @itsmonicaritchie
- Book: Fashioned by Faith: Spiritual Disciplines for Deepening Your Relationship with God
Connect with Megan:
- Website: meganbnilsen.com
- Social: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn
- Grab the Book: Untangled Faith+Companion Journal
- Free Gift: 30-Day Grace + Truth (Daily) Devotional
- Book a free discovery call to see if Kingdom Life Coaching could help you unlock your next right step!