Why does prayer sometimes feel empty and lacking? There may be many answers to this question, most you have likely heard before. We are human, finite, and still struggling against sin in this world, therefore our prayer lives are rarely what we hope they would be. But the Bible also teaches us that lacking content or depth in prayer may also arise from a surprising problem: our lack of biblical meditation.
Meditation is a fundamentally Christian concept. Eastern religions and Hollywood proclaim meditation to be a state of emptiness where one allows the contents of the mind to disappear or drop out of sight. For Christians, meditation is a fixing of the mind on the word of God.
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. (Ps. 1:1–2, ESV)
The Hebrew word for “meditate” in Psalm 1 is a verb meaning “to ponder,” or to repeatedly mutter to oneself. Meditating upon God’s word is a process of deep and consistent internal reflection. The goal is to take the truth of Scripture, and work it down into the foundation of your soul through thought and repetition.
But what does this have to do with prayer? All throughout the Psalms (the prayerbook of God’s people) meditation acts as a bridge to prayer. In Psalm 77, Jeduthun says, “I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds,” which then leads into this prayer of adoration: “Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?” (Ps. 77:12–13).
David writes “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands,” before saying “I stretch out my hands to you… Answer me quickly, O LORD!” (Ps. 143:5–7). Stretching a hand out to God, in this psalm, expresses a posture of prayer and petition. David meditates upon God’s faithful acts, and breaks out in prayerful dependance upon him.
Perhaps the most significant evidence of this connection is Psalm 1 itself. The prayerbook of God’s people begins, intentionally, by emphasizing the importance of meditation upon the word of God. Psalm 1 acts as a gateway to prayer. In the words of Eugene Peterson: “The text [of the Psalms] that teaches us to pray doesn’t begin with prayer. We are not ready. We are wrapped up in ourselves. We are knocked around by the world.” In this sense, the first psalm is “pre-prayer, getting us ready.”
Meditating upon the Law of the Lord leads us to prayer. The goal is that as you meditate, the Spirit brings conviction, thanks, praise, or some other reality up into your heart. It is with these realities in mind that you then approach God directly in prayer. In this sense, prayer is truly conversation with God, and there is much to discuss. We talk to God directly concerning the things upon which we have reflected.
Therefore, when we feel like prayer is boring, or a rote list of things to ask for, it may sometimes be because we lack reflection and do not meditate upon the word. As we ponder the word, the Spirit is faithful to show us how deeply in need of change and communion with God we truly are, and suddenly there is so much more to talk about.
So how do you meditate? There is no one answer, but there are biblical principles that should define our approach. First, meditation, by its very nature, requires time. You cannot ruminate upon God’s truth “day and night” within five minutes. Second, biblical meditation is active, not passive. The goal is to think more about what God is saying, not less. Third, pondering and “muttering to oneself” is deliberately abstract and can take multiple forms. Most practices that lead you into deep thought concerning God’s truth can be valid forms of meditation.
Pondering God’s truth naturally moves us to pray. In prayer, we move from consideration to interaction. If meditating on Scripture brings conviction concerning an area of sin in your life, move towards God in prayer and ask for renewal. Speak to him about your shortcomings. If the word produces reflections of joy and thanksgiving, move towards God in a prayer of delight! If rumination only adds to the confusion you feel, draw near to God and ask for wisdom.
Meditation and prayer synergize beautifully, just as God intended. Those who meditate upon God’s word are blessed. Those who use meditation as a bridge to prayer will rarely be lacking for things to pray for. Ponder the word and you will find the true blessing of meditation and prayer: God himself.
Footnotes
Eugene Peterson, Answering God, pg. 23–24; quoted by Tim Keller in Prayer, pg. 146.
