Real Help for Christians Desperate to Break Bad Habits or Start New, Good Ones
Updated: Jan 27, 2020
Vows can be an extremely powerful way to break negative cycles in our lives; they can also be employed as a catalyst for beginning new, positive disciplines that can create real change in a short period of time. They are NOT to be taken lightly.
For a more in-depth, theological look at using vows in a new covenant context, check out my mini-ebook Vows for Now.
1. Find a quiet time and space.
2. Ask God to show you one small, yet significant area of your life that you could change for the next 30 days.
3. Discern what steps God is leading you to take, with the help of prayer, a soul friend, and/or spiritual director.
4. Commit to start or stop doing that which the Lord has shown you, by means of a holy vow (see below) in the presence of your soul friend, spiritual director, or the online community in the form of a comment, post, tweet, etc. (be sure to link back to this article)
5. Follow The Re-monk Rule for the next 30 days. Feel free to begin your 30-day cycle any day of the month, but note that the Re-monk cycle (our online community of people who engage in this exercise every month) begins on the 7th of each month, so if you want the added strength and encouragement of knowing that other brothers and sisters are on the journey with you at the same time, then plan to begin paying your vows on the 7th!
6. Communicate! Journal, send us an email, post a comment, start a blog, tweet, share your struggles and success! We want to hear your story!
A Vow
Holy God, three-in-one. Father, Spirit, ancient Son,
Today I bind myself to thee
In the strong name of the trinity,
I make this simple pledge my vow,
For 30-days beginning now,
Creating space for God and man,
With your grace I know I can,
Help me now
Fulfill my vow.
(+) In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit I vow to _________________ for the next 30 days, and by your grace continue this as a permanent part of my walk with you.