No one can force a seed to sprout, but every harvest still depends on careful preparation. The same is true of spiritual growth. God does the work of transforming a life, but people have a part to play. For centuries, followers of Jesus have kept practices that open their lives to God’s work: listening, prayer, fasting, study, simplicity, solitude, submission, and service. Here is what spiritual disciplines are, why they matter, and how to begin.