* Corpus JEHOVAH SOVEREIGN TRIUMPH Institutes - PRACTISING CHRISTIAN MEDITATION

 

 

 

Get Ready To Practice Christian Meditation

1. Choose a quiet place and time where you will not be disturbed.  Sit down.

2. Sit still and upright, comfortable and alert, with your back straight. 

3. Close your eyes lightly

4. Breathe calmly and regularly

5. We Recommend MARANATHA

6. Silently, interiorly, begin to say a single word

7. Do not think or imagine anything - spiritual or otherwise.8. If thoughts and images come, these are distractions at the time of meditation: keep returning to simply saying the word.

*Maranatha is an ancient Christian prayer word. It means 'Come, Lord' from the Aramaic language of Jesus' time, and is found in the New Testament. When meditating, use it simply as a focus for your attention, without thinking about the meaning of it.

 

 

 

 

Understanding Christian Meditation

The biblical passages that use the phrase "Christian meditation" are few. Both words "meditate" and "meditation" are found about eighteen times in the Old Testament. There are basically two Hebrew words which are translated "meditate," found in Genesis 24:63; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2; 63:6; 77:12; 119:15, 23, 48, 148; and 143:5. The Hebrew word "hagah" is given the meaning in the context of these verses to "ponder, imagine, meditate, mourn, speak, study, talk, utter, etc."

Further meaning of meditation is given in the Hebrew word "aiyach" when it is used to mean "to ponder, to converse with oneself, and hence aloud; to utter or commune, complain, declare, meditate, muse, pray, speak, talk with (God in prayer, etc.) or it could be with another believer or group of believers--speaking one's thoughts about a passage of Scripture or words to a hymn, etc.

The word meditation is used in Psalm 5:1; 19:14; 49:3; 104:34; 119:97, 99. A familiar verse in Psalm 19:14 states, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight..." He asks that his words and thoughts be equal. Words of the mouth are a sham if they are not backed up by meditation of the heart.

A passage in the New Testament gives an even greater meaning to application of this word "meditate (meditation)." The Greek word used is "meletao" which means "to take care of" or "resolve in your mind" to do these things. This verse is 1 Timothy 4:15: "Meditate upon these things (preceding verses): give thyself wholly to them;..." Paul clarifies the words "save thyself...and others" in verse 16. "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." Taking heed unto the Word of God (doctrine), you will not be "giving heed...to doctrines of devils" (verse 1). This seems to be the contextual meaning of "save thyself." The hearers also will be saved from "giving heed to seducing spirits."

As you can see, then, true Christian meditation is an active thought (thinking, resolving) process whereby one gives himself to study of the Word, praying over it, asking God to give you understanding by the Spirit, putting it into practice in daily life, and allowing it (the Scriptures) become the rule for life and practice as you go about your daily activities. This causes spiritual growth and maturing in the things of God as taught you by His Holy Spirit indwelling you as a believer.

Be Still and know that I am God    Psalm 46:10

Some Christians are wary of or reject meditation, on the grounds that the roots of meditation lie in non-Christian influences such as Buddhism. Whilst meditation has been widely used in Eastern Spirituality for centuries, there is nothing inherently non-Christian about the practice of meditation, and it is increasingly being accepted as a mainstream practice in the promotion of well-being and mental health. Christian Meditation can be described as a Peaceful focus on God. Christian meditation can focus on a single word (as in the example below), or on a verse from the Bible for example.

Biblical Christian Meditation Verses

 

 1- Genesis 24:63

He went out to the field one evening to meditate, and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching.

Genesis 24:62-64 (in Context) Genesis 24 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

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.

Joshua 1:7-9 (in Context) Joshua 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.

Psalm 1:1-3 (in Context) Psalm 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

my heart grew hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:

Psalm 39:2-4 (in Context) Psalm 39 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.

Psalm 48:8-10 (in Context) Psalm 48 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

I remembered you, God, and I groaned; I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.

Psalm 77:2-4 (in Context) Psalm 77 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

I remembered my songs in the night. My heart meditated and my spirit asked:

Psalm 77:5-7 (in Context) Psalm 77 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

Psalm 77:11-13 (in Context) Psalm 77 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.

Psalm 119:14-16 (in Context) Psalm 119 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees.

Psalm 119:22-24 (in Context) Psalm 119 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

Cause me to understand the way of your precepts, that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.

Psalm 119:26-28 (in Context) Psalm 119 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

I reach out for your commands, which I love, that I may meditate on your decrees.

Psalm 119:47-49 (in Context) Psalm 119 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause; but I will meditate on your precepts.

Psalm 119:77-79 (in Context) Psalm 119 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

[ מ Mem ] Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.

Psalm 119:96-98 (in Context) Psalm 119 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.

Psalm 119:98-100 (in Context) Psalm 119 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.

Psalm 119:147-149 (in Context) Psalm 119 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.

Psalm 143:4-6 (in Context) Psalm 143 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

They speak of the glorious splendour of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

Psalm 145:4-6 (in Context) Psalm 145 (Whole Chapter)

May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the LORD

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD!