Meditation, Contemplation, and Prayer Practices According to the Bible

Three Practices for Improving Your Mind, and Opening Your Heart

May 05, 2023

Finding inner peace and clarity can be challenging in a world with many religions and spiritual practices. Meditation, contemplation, and prayer are common across many faiths, including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and more.

These practices have been used for centuries by people from all walks of life as a means of drawing closer to their higher power, finding inner peace, and navigating life's challenges.

While this article focuses on what the Bible teaches about meditation, contemplation, and prayer for Christians, it is essential to recognize that these practices have relevance far beyond Christianity. They are universal practices that can be adapted to fit any belief system or worldview, allowing individuals to deepen their spiritual connections and find inner peace.

While each practice has its unique characteristics, they are all related to spending time with God and being present with Him. Meditation involves focusing on a particular passage or verse, allowing it to sink deep into one's heart and mind. By meditating on God's Word, we can better understand His character and will for our lives.

By the end of this article, you may see the similarities between meditation, contemplation, and prayer and find your way to practice all three. Even if you’ve tried to meditate and failed, I encourage you to keep searching, learning, and practicing.

Pray if you’re genuinely struggling.

Benefits of Practicing

Don’t strive for perfection. Strive to enjoy your practice. Start small.

Build faith in your course of meditation, contemplation, and prayer. Enjoy the process without getting attached to the outcome. These practices are about learning to let go and letting God show you the way.

Studies have shown that meditation, contemplation, and prayer can lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease, and improve immune function. By reducing stress and promoting relaxation, these practices can help to improve overall health and well-being.

Search Inside Yourself to Find Your Way

There is no competition in any of this. Meditation, contemplation, and prayer are about your inner journey and conscious transformation.

There’s no “best” way to meditate. You can read countless books, attend seminars, hire a guru, and fly to an ashram. Find your thing within yourself.

My mother served as a role model when she learned Transcendental Meditation in the 1970s. I was a kid. Since my mother returned from her meditation training, she has not missed one day meditating for at least 20 minutes.

Thanks, Mom!

From there, I studied and practiced 10,000 approaches to meditating. Over the years, I found my way, and meditation has become my way of life.

Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish unless you're selfish, and that’s a different article. Find your way to serenity by intentionally improving your mind and opening your heart daily.

Meditation, Being Still, Knowing, Not Knowing

Meditation involves focusing our minds on a particular verse or passage from the Bible. This allows us to quiet our minds and focus on the truth and wisdom found in God's word. By meditating on the scriptures, we can better understand God's character and will for our lives.

We can learn a lot about meditation in the book of Psalms. The book of Psalms is a collection of 150 religious poems or songs that are part of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament.

The Psalms are attributed to King David, who is believed to have written about half of them, and other authors and poets from various periods in ancient Israel's history.

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." - Psalm 19:14 (ESV)

"On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate." - Psalm 145:5 (ESV)

"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." - Colossians 3:2

There are many ways to meditate. Do your best to develop a simple, daily practice of sitting comfortably, lying in a quiet room, or walking your dog down the street.

Walking meditation works, too. Find your way by searching, walking, or hiking in nature.

Contemplation and Being the Observer

Unlike meditation, contemplation involves a more general consideration of God's attributes and the wonder of His creation. It can involve focusing on the beauty of nature, considering the mysteries of the universe, or simply being still and aware of God's presence.

Contemplation is a form of spiritual practice that involves deep, sustained reflection on a particular subject, idea, or experience. In other words, the devotion is to more than a mantra. A quiet, focused attention process allows us to engage meaningfully with their thoughts, emotions, and spiritual insights. Contemplation is often associated with religious or spiritual practices, but it can also be practiced in a secular context to develop greater self-awareness and personal growth.

By developing a contemplative spirit through these practices, we can deepen our relationship with God and see His presence more clearly in our lives. Here are three more verses related to contemplation.

"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!" - Romans 11:33 (ESV)
"One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple." - Psalm 27:4 (ESV)
"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" - Psalm 46:10 (ESV)

One of the best ways to learn the art of contemplation is to pretend you’re observing yourself and all there is around you. Be more mindful, aware, and present with your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings.

By becoming an observer of ourselves and all around us, we can cultivate mindfulness and deepen our practice of contemplation. This allows us to detach from distractions and become fully present with God, gaining a deeper understanding of His character and will for our lives.

Pray Unceasingly

Prayer is the act of communicating with God. Through prayer, we can express our love and devotion to God, ask for His guidance and wisdom, and share our requests and concerns with Him. Communicating with God through prayer can deepen our relationship and help us find comfort and strength in times of trouble.

In prayer, we can also express our gratitude for all God has done for us and praise Him for His goodness and faithfulness. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, St. Paul writes, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Here are three more verses on the power of prayer:

"But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." - Matthew 6:6 (ESV)
"Pray then like this: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.'" - Matthew 6:9-10 (ESV)
"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)

In conclusion, meditation, contemplation, and prayer are three essential practices for Christians seeking to deepen their relationship with God and promote their overall health and well-being. By focusing on God's word, considering His attributes, and communicating with Him through prayer, we can experience the many benefits of being present with Him.

All three practices share many benefits, such as deepening our relationship with God, reducing stress and anxiety, and promoting mental and emotional well-being. We can gain clarity and perspective on our challenges and difficulties through quiet reflection and contemplation.