Christian Meditation: Cultivating and Deepening Your Faith

Do you recall the early 1980s and the widespread fascination with the "New Age Religion"?

I have vivid memories from my childhood of the New Age Movement, with its discussions about meditation, belief in a higher power, and the idea of a greater force beyond ourselves. This movement encompassed various beliefs, such as reincarnation, astrology, psychic phenomena, and the spiritual energy thought to reside within physical objects like mountains and trees. People were even using special rocks and stones for prayer and meditation.

I found all of this quite perplexing at the time because I had always been taught that God was the ultimate Higher Power. Today, my conviction remains strong – I firmly believe that God is the true source of all higher power. This brings me to a question: is meditation compatible with Christian beliefs?

As Christians, we must remain aware that the world often takes truths and distorts them into something unrecognizable.

"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken." Psalm 62:1-2

Meditation is a function of the mind, a process that articulates our thoughts and directs them toward the heart of God. Our thoughts connect us to the Creator. For believers, meditation and mindfulness deepen our understanding of who God is, allowing His presence to take root in our lives. "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7

Jesus emphasized the importance of loving God with our entire being – heart, soul, and mind. Matthew 22:37

Mindful meditation aligns with praying scripture.  When I meditate on and speak aloud the scriptures, God hears our prayer.

David's profound relationship with God is evident in his constant meditation in Psalm 1:1-2 where he meditates on God's Word day and night. Meditation also keeps us firmly planted which yields good fruit.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT MEDITATION?

When the Bible mentions meditation, it often mentions obedience in the next breath.  Let us consider this passage, 

"Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do." Joshua 1:8,9  NLT

This verse was written on a post-it note and left for me anonymously at a retreat in college. I immediately began to put these instructions to practice in my life.

Obedience to meditating on God’s Word will bring success in your life.

HOW DOES A CHRISTIAN MEDITATE?

Meditation for the beginner should be in a quiet place, set aside consecrated to the most important person in your life, Jesus Christ.  I usually begin my mornings in my special chair in my prayer room.   There I sit quietly before the Lord and WAIT.  Here, I am surrounded by books, my Bible, pen and paper listening with my mind focused on God alone.

"I wait quietly before God, or my victory comes from him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken." Psalm 62:1,2 NLT

1. Be Still.   "Be Still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10 NLT. Quiet Your soul before God and ask for a clean heart and a right spirit then you can hear from him.
   
   
2. Humble Yourself. God dwells in a prepared heart. Cast down any imagination that you don’t need God and can “figure it out all by yourself” ~ You Can’t.
   Bring your wandering thoughts captive to the thought and obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5
   
   
3. Concentrate and Ponder. The attitude of your body, mind, heart, and spirit is to concentrate on Jesus. If your focus is on the struggle or situation it’s in the wrong place.  Meditating on God’s Word requires focus on his omnipresence. Thoughts and worries will banish when we look to God.
   
   
4. Wait Expectantly.  Do not expect Him to come at any particular time ~ just expect Him.  Leave room for God to arrive and He will.  To do this, you must see God as personal.
   
   
5. How to Wait. Alone. Be still in the Lord and wait patiently for Him to act.  In our society, we want things done quickly and in our time not allowing the space and room for God to move in our lives with His timing which is best.  God made man for himself, so we need to be alone with God for reconciliation and restoration. When we allow our souls to be restored and rest in God; we become immersed in God’s love  
   

   It is a delight to be in God’s presence exposed yet loved.

As we sit and wait for the holy of Holies to enter the room; we are able to enter into His presence with a heart ready to receive God’s best and align our will with His will. 

Meditating on Scripture will bring peace, and joy and allow His powerful Love to overflow in our lives.  It aims to heighten the personal relationship based on the love of God.

We are then able to become more aware of our bodies and allow yourselves to begin breathing by inhaling in and out ….

Breathe in Love ~ Breathe out Hate

Breathe in Peace ~ Breathe out Anger

Breathe in Hope ~ Breathe out Worry

As I acknowledge God early in the morning, by breathing in His Word which is Life;  I know that He will guide and direct me into His presence to direct my footsteps throughout the day.

WHY MEDITATE?

Our thoughts are affected by everything around us so it is important that we renew our mind and become intentional in examining our thought life.   Our first thoughts should be of God and we must take time to allow Him to reveal Himself to us.

An intimate relationship with God happens when we take the time to know who He is.  This comes through nurturing the word of God, and cherishing Him so that the Lord is occupying us spirit, soul, and body.

When your mind is occupied with the Lord, there is the ability for the heart to be connected.

When you meditate you reduce stress in your life. You are then able to focus and have more control over your emotions and physical well-being.

Have you considered meditating on God’s Word as a way to reduce stress, feeling overwhelmed, and discover peace in your life? 

Why not begin today? I’d love to work with you on developing this discipline to TRANSFORM your life and renew your mind!

God rewards us for meditating on His word by renewing our strength and leading us in His truth. is the process of deliberately focusing on specific thoughts usually a scripture passage and reflecting on their meaning in the context of the love of God.