How to build a spiritual life that actually works

You don’t need to love silence or structure to enjoy Faith Habits and How to Form Them. With warmth and clarity, Emma Timms offers an accessible guide to deeper spiritual practices for any stage of faith, says our reviewer

I have to admit that I am not naturally drawn to contemplative Christianity or the rigidity of regular spiritual disciplines. So it was with some surprise that I found myself thoroughly enjoying Emma Timms’ book Faith Habits and How to Form Them (SPCK). And I would thoroughly recommend it – even if, like me, you may feel that this is not an area of Christian faith you would normally explore.

In recent years, terms such as ‘spiritual formation’ and ‘rule of life’ have become increasingly common in church circles, no doubt in part due to the success of John Mark Comer’s Practising the Way (Waterbrook Press) and initiatives such as 24-7 Prayer’s Lectio 365 app.

But despite the noise, it can be hard for those of us less familiar with more contemplative traditions to fully understand what such practices entail, where they come from and what they can bring to our lives – which is where this book comes in.

Timms’ approach to this subject is refreshingly down-to-earth and accessible. The book opens with