Christian meditation....Practical help - Part One

Author Rachael

Over the last couple of years, in all the questions on chat i have asked and seen, i have found, people find it difficult to tell you how to do the things the bible ask you to do, one of the things is meditation, people might say 'be still' or 'meditate on His word' or things like that, but never tell you HOW you do that, so i thought i would give some pointers, to help people get started with aspects of their journey, and tools to help them become closer to God.

Meditation is a way of prayer marked by silence, stillness, and simplicity. Rather than emptying yourself, you fill your mind with hope and encouragement from the promises that God has given in His Word or on good things that God has done for you, or you may simply just think on the wonder and awe of God. In so doing, you are assured of peace.

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you" (Isaiah 26:3).

Everyones journey is unique, everyones relationship with God is unique, there is no set way to do this, these are suggested methods you COULD use. I am going to start on 'Christian meditation' , now note i say Christian meditation, this is not eastern meditation, this is all God centred.

Christian meditation is rooted in the Bible. In fact, the Bible commands us to meditate. In Joshua 1:8, God says to meditate on His word day and night so we will obey it. The psalmist says "his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:2). Actually, the Bible mentions meditate or meditation 20 times.

In the Old Testament there are two primary Hebrew words for meditation: Haga, which means to utter, groan, meditate, or ponder; and Sihach, which means to muse, rehearse in one's mind, or contemplate. These words can also be translated as dwell, diligently consider, and heed. ( just to cover the biblical stance on meditation)

So lets see.

Meditation Tips

Five tips to meditate

* Find a quiet place free from distraction

* Sit with your limbs uncrossed and with a straight back, hands in your lap

* Simply breathe at regular speed but breathe deeply and relax

* Close your eyes and think of a beautiful scene from the natural world

* Take a simple phrase and repeat it continuously in time with your breathing

(You may find it helpful to use one of the following)

* Come and light my darkness

* Be still and know that I am God

* God be in my head and in my understanding

* Come Holy Spirit and inflame my heart

* Come Lord Jesus

Continue repeating it gently and faithfully for the whole time of the meditation

* Return to it as soon as you realize you have stopped saying it

* Stay with the same word during meditation

Now meditation is prayer of the heart, focusing on God, He will fill your heart, mind and soul, with His Love, Peace, Joy and Strength, and will bring you closer to God!

This is just an introduction to meditation, it is a vast subject, i will add to it from time to time.

gbu and peace

rachy