Christian Meditation – Part Two

Don’t let Eastern meditation frighten you away from Christian meditation. The two are diametrically different. Eastern meditation is an esoteric practice that requires instruction by gurus and special techniques for controlling one’s breathing, repeating mantras, descending inward, going into yourself. The Bible’s picture of meditation is of focusing your thought on the Lord and/or His word. It involves these steps which can be modified.

-Silence. It is expedient to rule out as most interference as possible in order not to be disrupted and diverted. Turn off devices that might provide distraction.

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen…” (Matthew 6: 6).

-Reading. The current reading of a brief passage is advantageous. If not, call to mind a well known verse or brief passage. The essential point is to bring to mind a biblical truth.

-Meditating. Meditating has been described like a bird that has one note and keeps chirping it over and over. Ask yourself “What is God saying in this passage?” How does it relate to me? What does it call on me to become and how to apply it? Focus is essential. Discipline your mind not to wander. “Be still, and know that I am God…” (Psalm 46: 10).

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” (Joshua  1: 8).

-Prayer. Don’t get so absorbed in what you are praying about that you forget who you are praying to. As a part of your prayer time read the passage phrase-by-phrase asking Him how He wants you to apply it.

-Contemplating. Pause and think through how God wants you to incorporate the principle in your life. Tell Him your commitment to carrying through the passage in your daily life and ask His help in doing so.

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (Isaiah 26: 3).

Give yourself time to grow in this discipline. By doing so you will become more comfortable in the practice and it will become more enriching.

Then pray, “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19: 14). The text mentions both the “words of my mouth,” and the “meditation of my heart.” It is appropriate to softly speak the Scripture out loud as well as to quietly meditate on it.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4: 8).