It is not easy to keep complete focused all the time, but it still is a very good, peaceful and deliberate time of being in God presence. I do not desire to "empty" my mind in the quietness, but rather to fill it with thoughts of God. So, I began to pick favourite bible verses to dwell on, letting them sink in.
But I realised something today. I found that most of the verses that I have been choosing so far for the quiet meditation are those that focused on me in relation to Him. I do not think it is all wrong, I am after all desiring to have a closer relationship with Him. And so I chose John 1:1-4 today, though I was not so attentive today.
Nevertheless, I must say, it should come with more practice.
pearlie
one problem with using a verse is that your analytical mind kicks in and you try to do an exegesis. This will divert or distract you from being still before the Lord. Try repeating a simple single word (such as Jesus, love) or like me use the Jesus prayer.
ReplyDeleteYes, this is centering prayer.
Yup, that is exactly what happened. I did an exegesis on John 1:3-4 this morning. Initially, I did use the Jesus Prayer and Ps 46:10a, "Be still and know that I am God."
ReplyDeleteHowever, I find that it is quite OK to do meditative prayer with some exegesis of a verse and using that understanding to worship, to connect with God and build a relationship with Him. I am fine with not strictly doing centering prayer.
Just my 2-cents :)
no problemo, what works is good :)
ReplyDelete