Ordinary Means of Grace

Central to John Wesley’s understanding of Christian spirituality and growth was his teaching on the “ordinary means of grace.” This concept, deeply rooted in both Scripture and Christian tradition, emphasizes practices through which believers can receive God’s grace to nurture their faith and cultivate personal and communal holiness. Grace is often defined popularly as “unmerited favor.” It refers to God’s propensity to give to us and show us his love in concrete, specific ways.

The “means of grace” in Christian theology refer to divinely-appointed channels through which God makes his help, favor, and power available to believers. The “ordinary” ones are those that are historic, regular Christian practices. These are accessible to all believers. They are not exclusive mystical experiences reserved for a spiritual elite. John Wesley often stressed the importance of these means not as acts that earn us anything. They are rather well-known channels through which God has freely pours out His grace.

The Primary Means of Grace

For Wesley, the primary means of grace included:

• Prayer: Both public and private prayer are crucial. Prayer serves as a means of communication with God, a way to express adoration, confess sins, give thanks, and present petitions.
• Searching the Scriptures: This involves both reading and hearing God’s word. Wesley believed that all Scripture was inspired and beneficial for teaching and correction. Regular engagement with the Bible is key for spiritual growth, as we will see.
• The Lord’s Supper: Taking Communion (or “the Eucharist” as it is sometimes called) was not just a ritual for Wesley but a real means through which believers can encounter Christ and receive grace.

You might notice that baptism is not on this list. It is not that Wesley did not believe baptism was a means of grace or a “sacrament.” It is only that it was not something you repeated. Also, as an Anglican in the 1700s, virtually everyone was baptized as an infant, so it was not an event that normally took place as a conscious choice.

The Prudential Means of Grace

In addition to the primary means, Wesley also spoke of “prudential means of grace.” These were not universally mandated but were based on their effectiveness at nurturing spiritual growth. They included:

• Fasting or Abstinence: Though not an obligation, fasting has both spiritual and physical benefits. It is a means of self-control and devotion to God.
• Christian Conferencing: This refers to believers coming together for edifying conversations and accountability. Wesley’s famous small group meetings were known as “class meetings” and “band meetings.” They were places for accountability, mutual encouragement, and spiritual growth.
• Acts of Mercy: Serving the poor, visiting the sick, and other charitable acts are tangible expressions of God’s love and ways through which believers could receive grace. Note that while “good works” can’t save us, the apostle Paul strongly affirmed them (see Ephesians 2:10), as did Jesus (cf. Matthew 6:2-4). And James suggests that your faith is useless if it doesn’t result in them (James 2:14-17).

Central to Wesley’s understanding of the means of grace was a balance between faith and works. While salvation is entirely a work of God’s grace received through faith, believers should respond by actively participating in these means. Wesley believed that while God's grace was freely given, believers had a role to play in their sanctification (becoming more holy) by regularly engaging in these practices.

For Wesley, the means of grace also had a strong community dimension. Many of these practices, particularly the prudential means, were designed to be practiced within a community of believers. His group meetings–the larger class meetings and smaller band meetings–were not just individual endeavors but community-driven efforts toward collective holiness (becoming more like Christ).

In today’s world of individualism and varying spiritual practices, Wesley’s emphasis on the ordinary means of grace offers a grounded, structured approach to spiritual growth. It reminds us of the importance of foundational Christian practices. It urges us to prioritize them in our spiritual journey. Meanwhile, we shouldn’t forget other means of grace like fasting and doing good in the world. These are all God-ordained paths to spiritual empowerment.