I am reading McLaren's book about the ancient practices.  I love what he says in chapter two about our character and how it is shaped through the spiritual disciplines.

McLaren writes, "You can't take an epidural shot to ease the pain of giving birth to character... In a world like ours, your character, left untended, will become a stale room, an obnoxious child, a vacant lot, filled with thorns, weeds, broken bottles, raggedy grocery bags, and dog droppings...Well tended, your character will be a fragrant garden, an artist's home, with walls and halls full of memory and beauty, a party with live music and good jokes and pleasant conversations in every corner.  You'll be good and deep company for others and yourself."

He goes to say that spiritual disciplines (prayer, scripture, fasting, worship, meditation, etc.) help us to become someone weighty. 

I am looking forward to my DMIN class next week wherein we will be focusing on ancient future worship.  Perhaps you will check out some of McLaren's work as you seek to grow in your practices of the spiritual disciplines.  Blessings, Pastor Bob Lee