Reclaiming The Lost Art Of Biblical Meditation

The principles of meditation, thoughtful prayer, and seeking God’s presence are deeply rooted in the Christian faith and many Biblical teachings. Centuries of scholarship, tradition, and practice prove the effectiveness of meditation for spiritual transformation and spiritual growth. Unfortunately, there is a lot of confusion that we hope to clarify. Reclaiming the lost art of Biblical meditation starts with us, and we hope it also starts with you.

Reclaiming The Lost Art of Biblical Meditation: Is Meditation Really Historically Biblical?

Yes! Christian meditation is a historically Biblical tradition that is as ancient as the early church.  Of course, other Eastern meditation ideas have been popularized and have muddied the waters of the rich Spiritual applications. However, the lost art of Biblical meditation has always been an ancient practice found across many denominations within global Christianity.

In the context of the early church, the early church fathers knew meditation to be the reflection,  contemplation, reflection, stillness, and mindfulness rooted in Biblical truth and spirituality—vastly different from the new age ideas we find so common today.

Meditation is a practice that deepens one’s faith. As you embody still, quiet mindfulness and scripture-infused contemplation, you find a new, positive perspective and open yourself to hearing the voice of God. You begin to follow the commands of Scripture to

...not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

(Romans 12:2, ESV)

Historical Teachings On Biblical Meditation

Jesus’ Prayer Life Is An Example To Us

The art of Biblical meditation has always been influenced by Jesus’ prayer life as He walked this Earth. Much of His time among His creation was spent in quiet communion with the Father, often privately.

We see His practice of solitary prayer and reflection demonstrated throughout the New Testament, including the 40 days He spent in the wilderness (Matthew 4), the nights He prayed in the mountains (Luke 6), and in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14). Shouldn’t we model the same behaviors if the Son of God was so invested in His communion with God?

The Desert Fathers and Mothers

In the 3rd century, there was a group of monastic Christians who sought refuge in the remote deserts of Egypt, seeking a quiet, secluded place to worship. This is where they separated themselves from the rest of the world and dedicated their lives to meditation and contemplative practices. Some of the prominent teachers of this movement were Evagrius Ponticus and John Cassian.

Evagrius taught the apatheia style of meditation that confronts harmful thinking to experience divine simplicity and cultivate a stronger, deeper connection with God.[1] Heavily influenced by Eavagrius, John Cassian later wrote a series of writings (“Conferences”) where he references prayer as a type of continual prayer he called “pure prayer,” which was a contemplative focus on God alone.[2] This puts practical legs to “set your mind on things above,” as Paul encourages in Colossians 3.

Symeon, The New Theologian

Symeon was a Byzantine poet and monk who lived in the 10th-11th century and is the author of The Way of the Pilgrim. This work highlights the “pray without ceasing” language in Scripture in the same vein as contemplative prayer and meditation. He also blended breathwork principles to help you “Carry your mind, that is, your thoughts, from your head to your heart.”[3] His framework for interactive prayer methods is designed to help create space for experiencing the Holy Spirit.

St. John of the Cross

A prominent Spanish father of the Anglican faith is St. John of the Cross, who lived from 1542 to 1591 and wrote “The Ascent of Mount Carmel.” One of his primary teachings was that one needed to practice total detachment to experience freedom from the tethers of Earthly desires. He believed this detachment is what clears mental and spiritual space for God to communicate and for us to be infused with grace.

One of the passages of his work states, “In order to reach this state, it will frequently need to make use of meditation, quietly and in moderation; but when once the soul is brought into this other state… Then God communicates Himself to it passively…that light is communicated to him passively…And this reception of light which is infused supernaturally is passive understanding.”[4]

Hesychasm and Eastern Orthodox Meditation

One traditional Orthodox practice is Hesychastic prayer and meditation. This is a type of silent prayer and mindfulness meditation designed to help us seek divine stillness through contemplation.[5] Hesychastic prayer is a method of aligning our thoughts with Christ and participating in direct communion with God. This Eastern Orthodox tradition is often practiced as an intellectual prayer through memorizing “the Jesus Prayer” and reciting it in repetition while stilling one’s thoughts.

Would You Like To Encounter God? Start Here.

Try The Christian Meditation App For Free

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

Biblical Support For Meditation

God’s Word, in both the Old and the New Testament, has a deep well of insight and references to meditation, reflection, and seeking the presence of God in stillness. The following are just some of those references.

Psalm 1:1–2:

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.” (ESV)

This passage introduces meditation as a continuous practice where one focuses on God’s law 
as a source of guidance. It’s an act of joy and reverence.

Psalm 19:14:

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (ESV)

In this passage, we see meditation given as an out of humble devotion.

Joshua 1:8:

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (ESV)

God is instructing Joshua in this passage to establish meditating on Scripture as a practice of obedience that aligns your life with God’s will and influences and success.

Philippians 4:6-8:

“…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (ESV)

Paul and Timothy write to the church in Philippi that dwelling on the good and perfect things from God and seeking His presence in prayer activates a peace unlinke any other.

Matthew 6:6:

“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.” (ESV)

This is teaching directly from Jesus Himself, just before He shared what we now call The Lord’s Prayer. He touches on the meditative practices of solitude and focus, encouraging an intimate and meaningful communion with God.

You Can Participate In The Lost Art of Biblical Meditation

Daily practice of meditation and prayer is a foundation for intentional Christian living. Recalling the truth in God’s Word and dwelling in His Presence keeps our souls grounded in truth and our minds on “whatever is pure.” Ignite spiritual transformation from the inside out with biblically-based prayer and guided meditation. Learn more about the Christian Meditation App here.