Every Christian Should Meditate
Meditation: A Definition
Meditation is a mental activity that reduces stress, anxiety, depression, and pain. It brings about peace, calmness, increasing perception, a sharp awareness, and a healthy well being.
"Meditation" comes from the Latin word meditari, which means to concentrate. It has the prefix "medi" which also means to think, ponder, contemplate, and reflect. The word "medicine" has the same prefix. Meditation is good for the mind just as medicine is good for the body.
Every religion has some form of meditation. However, this article focuses only on Christian meditation that is biblically based and prescribed by the scriptures.
Tips About Meditation
The Bible says a lot about meditation, but it does not go into details about how to do it effectively. There are many books and tapes with instructions. It is best to discover your own methods and techniques.
Many experts on the subject suggest meditating 20 minutes at a time at least twice a day. When a person first learns to meditate, he can start off with just five to eight minutes until he gets in the habit of doing it longer and on a more regular basis. People who have been meditating for years do not set a time limit and they do it more often than twice a day. In fact, they have developed a lifestyle of meditating, and they do it throughout the day with no set rules and rigid instructions.
Experts also suggest certain positions or postures. Again, the person who has the habit of meditating doesn't wait to get into a prescribed position to meditate. He can do it at the stoplight, in line at the grocery store, or even when his child is making a home run. None of these should be tempted by the novice.
Meditation is often combined with solitude, stillness and silence, but it doesn't have to be. Some people experience their best time of meditation when they are walking and listening to the sounds of nature. Some have reported that they experience effective meditation while taking a shower or soaking in a tub of soapy water. Many people say they enjoy meditating while washing dishes in the sink with their eyes wide open as they listen to the sound of water.
Some religions suggest holding objects, such as prayer beads while meditating. They also recommend repeating a mantra throughout the meditational period.
When some people get into the habit of meditating, they do it automatically without a lot of rules and guidelines. Once they find what works for them, they continue on that path.
Christian Meditation
There are some things in common with meditation in all religions. Then there are some things that are unique in most religions. Christian meditation is a form of prayer that is used expressly for the purpose of getting into the presence of God and receiving revelations from Him. It is the deliberate attempt to focus on the life and deeds of Jesus Christ, especially His redemptive work on the cross.
The main purpose of Christian meditation is to silent your own voice and to hear the still small voice of God.
Christian meditation can be summed up in the following ways:
- It is obedient reflection on God's word.
- It is persistent concentration on God's word.
- It is a careful thinking about God's word.
What the Bible Says About Meditating
Reference
| Scripture
|
|---|---|
Genesis 24:63
| Iaac went out to the field one evening to meditate, and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching.
|
Joshua 1:8
| 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.
|
Psalm 1:2
| But whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.
|
Psalm 19:14
| May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
|
Psalm 49:3
| My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the meditation of my heart will give you understanding.
|
Psalm 104:34
| May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the LORD.
|
Jesus was with crowds all the time, but He often withdrew to a quiet place to pray and meditate for the purpose of being strengthenen and to hear from His Father. We should do the same.
Just as Jesus received strength and revelations from His Father, we can receive the same benefits when we meditate on God and things relating to Him.
Do you meditate?
Comments
AUTHORThanks, Jack, for reading and commenting on my article about meditating. I learned to meditate over four decades ago, and the activity has been keeping me calm and grounded since then. I don't remember a day that passes that I don't meditate. I have learned to take advantage of little "snatches of time" to meditate.
Hi Margaret,
A simple message with a powerful meaning - thank you for thinking about it and writing it and I echo the thoughts of Lori and Jason.
For me, you did it perfectly with those three bullets following your sentence, Christian medication can be summed up in the following ways:
It is obedient reflection on God's word.
It is persistent concentration on God's word.
It is careful thinking about God's word.
I enjoyed your thoughts that meditation doesn't necessarily have any rules or certain directives - it can be done anywhere at any time but I find it's more effective when you are alone and without any human distraction. Those three things you mention are the key to drawing nearer, still nearer to God and those things are prayerful, even though not so much IN prayer, so to speak but they are all reflected in a prayerful way and I get so much joy in just being able to withdraw from the pressures around me and think about what He has done for the likes of me - a sinner.
I hope others will benefit from your message and consider thinking about 'going the extra mile' in meditation as it a valuable asset to our armour and the more we use it the closer we get to Him.
Again my best regards Margaret,
Jack.
- AUTHOR
Hi Jason,
Thanks for reading and commenting on my article about meditation. Go on and write your article about meditation because there is so much more to say and different ways to say it.
Besides, your audience is different from mine who would love to read what you have to say.
Blessings to you for the work you are and your wife are doing.
Wow, Margaret! This exact topic is on my list of things to write about, and you beat me to it. Fantastic write up!
I cannot agree enough. Christianity, of all the religions, seems to be the most neglectful when it comes to meditation. It is such a powerful tool and provides so much healing, and yet, most Christians think meditation is an Eastern practice and decide to ignore it.
It is amazing to me how often Christians just talk and talk and talk when it comes to prayer. If you are asking God for help or advice, how are you supposed to get an answer if you are not willing to listen, amirite? haha.
Thank you for this article. It was such a pleasure to read.
- AUTHOR
Lori, I have heard that analogy as well about the cow chewing his cud. I meditate every single day and feels so much better after doing it.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
I have often heard biblical meditation likened to a cow chewing his cud. He eats of the grass of the field, chews it, swallows it, then brings it up and chews on it again etc. That resonates with me.
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