How To Meditate As A Christian And Why You Should

Often Christians will avoid the word meditation because of the connection with Eastern thought. In things such as yoga people are taught how to empty one's mind. Biblical meditation has been around a very long time but the difference is we are encouraged to fill our mind with Scripture. So Christian meditation is when we allow the Scriptures to take preeminence over other thoughts as we open ourselves to the teaching of Holy Spirit.

The psalmist of Psalm 119 meditated on the Scriptures and prayed throughout the Psalm "open my eyes, "teach me", "help me understand".  James tells us that we must approach the Scriptures with an openness, believing the Scriptures are "anything is possible" Scriptures, written by "anything is possible" Spirit. When we open ourselves to Scripture by meditating on it we enable the Spirit to teach us by revelation in relationship (always in intimate relationship), orientating us to the Kingdom instead of this world.

Meditation changes us. It is not Bible Study. It is sitting at the feet of the Spirit and receiving what he is teaching and being changed by it.

How do we meditate? Allow me to share with you what I have found to be best practice, understanding there needs to be a shift away from a Bible Study approach toward a learning on the knee of our Father:

1. Set aside a week or so to meditate on one passage.

2. A passage should be one complete thought, perhaps smaller thoughts that add up to one overall theme (I will give you some suggestions at the end). Avoid a single verse.

3. Meditation does not have to be memorization but you may find that memorizing helps you to focus. However, you can simply meditate on the though or the theme that comes from the passage.

4. On day 1 read through the complete passage several times during the day. Perhaps twice in the morning, once in the afternoon and twice in the evening.

5. Have a note pad to jot down any thoughts or ideas you hear as you are reading.

6. On day 2, and every day thereafter, choose which verses you are going to review throughout the day. Always keep a note pad handy or keep notes on your phone. At the end of every day you should review your notes.

7. Use spare moments of your day to turn over the verses, asking Spirit questions and listening for answers. Such times may be while you are driving, taking the bus, going for a walk, taking a bath, preparing supper. It is anytime when you are alone and not engaged with people around you. If need be create such moments throughout your day.

8. Do not search commentaries or people's opinions online. Ask your questions to Spirit and look up any other Scriptures he may direct you to look up. You are his student and he will teach you.

9. Something you may find helpful is to partner with a friend to meditate on the same Scripture together. You can meet for coffee or go for a walk together to compare notes.

The biggest benefit from such meditation, besides learning to hear the voice behind the Scriptures, is the growing awareness you will gain of the Lord's constant abiding presence. You will become more and more aware of his voice and you will learn to obey. You will also quickly discover that the Bible is the Living Word of Yahweh, applying itself to every circumstance of your life today.

Here are a view suggestions to begin with:

Psalm. 1

Psalm. 8

Psalm. 103:1-12

1 Thess. 5:5-24

Hebrews. 4:9-16

1 Cor. 13

Psalm. 119:1-16

Proverbs.3:1-12

Psalm. 27

John. 3:1-16

Philippians. 2:1-16

Feel free to contact me for further suggestions if you finish with these. If you are looking to partner with anyone for this purpose of meditation I meet with a group three times a week in an online meeting. Contact me and I will send you an invitation to join with us.