Taken from Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline, pp. xi-xii
Day One – For thirty minutes, turn off all technology. Make a cup of coffee or tea. Begin with this prayer, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24) Then, be still. No writing. No talking. Nothing. The objective here is to clear away all “creaturely activity,” to use a phrase from the old writers.
Day Two – Again, for thirty minutes, become free of all technology. Today, take a walk, allowing your footsteps to fall into the rhythm of your whispering of the Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
Day Three – Again, all technology is off for thirty minutes. A good cup of coffee or tea and a comfortable chair are in order. Begin with the simple prayer I composed for coffee time: “O Spirit of God, blow across my little life and let me drink in your great Life. Amen.” Next, ever so slowly, pray the words of the Lord’s Prayer (Mt. 6:9-13). With each phrase of the prayer add your thoughts or concerns a little like you are decorating a Christmas tree with your own ornaments. See if your extended prayerful meditation will bring you to the end of the Lord’s Prayer at about the thirty-minute mark.
Days Four, Five, and Six: Repeat the same rhythm of days one, two, and three.
Day Seven: Use Your Technology to Your Heart’s Content.