Meditation is a practice where an individual uses a technique – such as mindfulness, or focusing their mind on a particular object, thought or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state.
In a day of information overload and many daily pressures, people often turn to such meditation practices as yoga, Hinduism, transcendental meditation, and other Eastern philosophies in an effort to achieve a “higher consciousness”
However, these practices conflict with biblical or godly meditation because they teach that salvation is found within ourselves, not through Jesus Christ. These practices also encourage us to empty ourselves. This is dangerous because we are then open to being filled up with darkness.
Christian meditation, however, is the practice of studying, pondering, praying over, and asking God to help us understand His Word. We as believers seek to be filled with thoughts of the God of the Bible. Our focus is on Him, who is high above all.
The practice of Christian meditation is confirmed throughout scripture. In Psalm 1:2, David’s delight is in the Lord, and he meditates on His Word day and night. Holy Spirit promises to lead us into all truth (John 16:13).
Psalm 19:14 states, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Joshua 1:8 states: This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Prayer is us talking to God. Meditation is God talking to us. When we spend time in His presence, He speaks to us about His plans, dreams, and vision for our lives.
There are several methods of Christian meditation. The Abide app, in particular, offers hundreds of guided Christian meditations on every subject from sleep to strength to sacrifice and more! I play their meditations on YouTube regularly to tune into God’s Word, edify my spirit, and find rest for my soul. Whether you use the Abide app or other Christian meditation method, my prayer is that your time with the Lord brings your vision into clearer focus so you can carry it out and bless the world with it!
