Prayer, Scripture, silence and solitude, the fear of God, and gratitude—keep faith vibrant and enable believers to finish life’s race well.

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.”

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