How to Meditate on the Word of God

Humans connect with divine authority in different ways. Some pray some recite the word of God repeatedly, while some meditate on the word of God like the Bible. If you ask a common person “How to mediate on the word of God?” you will get confused due to the variety of methods being applied to mediate on the word of God. It is noteworthy to mention that God himself encouraged everyone to meditate on His word. He says in the Bible:

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 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 1:7-8).

In this article, we delve into the ways through which anybody can meditate on the word of God. Before explaining these ways, we will also explain what meditation means in secular and spiritual terms, what it means to be meditating on the word of God, and then the steps through which a person can meditate.

Aim & Spirit of Meditation

Meditating on the word of God is something that brings an individual closer to God. It is a profound practice that includes reading God’s word, reflecting upon it, internalizing it, imbibing the teachings and wisdom of Scripture, and applying the spiritual principles found in religious texts to everyday life.

The aim of this meditation is to develop a deep connection with God, gain insights, and find peace, harmony, and spiritual growth. Let’s start by explaining the concept of meditation in different schools of thought.

It has been established that the process of meditation allows people to connect with their faith deeply, infer personal insights, and find peace and tranquillity while deriving guidance from the scriptures. In reflection of the guidance, the conduct of the people becomes humble, ethically sound and beneficial to the mankind.

These steps are easy to follow and remember, and by doing so, you will experience and enjoy a deep connection with your faith, and with God, and ultimately you will find inner peace and satisfaction. Keep in mind that meditation on God’s word is a personal journey for which no absolute rule or process can be formulated.

Meditation, a Deep Religious Move

As per the secular approach, meditation is a practice in which an individual employs several techniques like mindfulness, focusing on something like a thought, an activity, or an object so as to train their mind to attention and awareness.

The goal of the process is to empty the mind of conscious thoughts and achieve mental clarity, emotional calmness and stability so to regain rights direction in life.

On the other hand, religious meditation such as Qur’anic or Biblical meditation builds a strong connection with God. For example, when a Muslim or Christian meditates, her goal would be to achieve spiritual growth, inner peace, and mental satisfaction by better understanding the Scripture and be consequently transformed by it.

Further, the life pattern of the individuals be galvanized with the given guidance. In the next section, we will explore in detail what it actually means to meditate on word of God.

What Does it Mean to Meditate on the Word of God?

Meditating on the word of God does not mean you keep reading the Scripture without applying your mind i.e., without trying to understand what is it that you are reading and what purpose it holds. You may just keep repeating it over and over, but it will serve no purpose as far as the life of a man is concerned.

Meditating on the word of God actually means absorbing it so that it becomes a part of you and the same would reflect in your daily actions. It means you are not just reading it, but understanding it, internalizing it, and knowing its essence to keep your life changed accordingly.

Additionally, it also means to imbibe the teachings and wisdom bestowed in religious Scripture and apply the spiritual principles in your daily life. This is an actual meditation on the word of God.

Means to Meditate on the Word of God

As explained above, meditating on the word of God is a deep spiritual and personal practice that includes various things from reading to understanding to performing it wholly. We are giving below a general guide on how you can meditate on the word of God.

By following the simple steps; you would connect to God and your faith would uplift to a deeper level. Here, we will explain twelve steps that you can easily follow on a daily basis. You can twist and tweak them to make them feasible and convenient for you.

But these are essential and significant steps that should be followed regularly. Let’s have some discussion one by one: -

Selecting a Verse or Passage

Selecting a verse or a passage from a religious text, be it part of the Quran or the Bible is the first step towards meditation. You can choose any verse of the passage, but it is better to opt for one that relates to you on a personal and spiritual level.

It may also address a particular problem or concern that is important for you or the people around you. You may also choose the passage of the scripture in needs to be explored for your life needs.

At Quiet Place to Meditate on the Word of God

After selecting a verse or passage of your choice from the scripture, you should find a peaceful and quiet place to sit alone and ponder on the strength of the passage and also to find out the next move coherent with wisdom. It may be a separate room or a small corner in your house if no independent place is available to you for the purposes of meditation.

It will be a place where you will not be easily distracted which will ultimately help you increase your focus. Creating a quiet and calm environment will be conducive to concentrating on God’s word and connecting with this spiritual message deeply.

Relaxation and Breathing

Before you start meditating, it is suggested you take several deep breaths so that your mind and body are completely relaxed to welcome the meditation. Slow and deep breathing is a simple and effective way to calm your thoughts and restore stable vibes to ponder on the issues to seek guidance from the lawgiver. It helps you clear your mind from worldly distractions since you are going to connect with your God and his word.

Reading and Reflecting

Start reading the chosen verse of passage slowly but thoroughly with the intent to find out the wisdom behind the verse or passage as the case may be. You must show attention because you are reading the message of the creator/ lawgiver addressing you directly. You can also read the verse or passage out loud so that it becomes a dual source of learning i.e., speaking and listening.

Contemplation

In this step, you are supposed to reflect on the meaning of the verse or passage. You should interpret what is this verse about. Think of the ways it relates to your daily life, the challenges you are facing, and experiences you had in the past.

Importantly, you must contemplate how the teachings of this verse/passage can be applied to your everyday life and the circumstances of hardship you are facing. It refers to the act of meditation, which requires something more than reading leading to thinking, pondering and seeking the hidden guidance.

Asking Questions

After reading the verse or passage you just read, several questions would arise in your mind. It happens; it is better to ask yourself some questions about what you read. You can ask yourself like, what is the message conveyed in this passage, how will it help you in your faith journey, and the insights you could have derived from the verse or passage? By doing so, you would be in a position to get a deeper understanding of the verse or passage i.e. word of God.

Repeating and Focusing

Repeating the passage is a good way of focusing and giving it the attention it deserves. It is a good idea to read the passage several times so that you can understand it well and internalize it. Revising the verse or passage will enable you to focus on different perspectives or aspects.

In this way, you can memorize the passage and you will be able to apply it in your daily life and connect to your faith and God. Needless to mention applying the provisions of scriptures in your daily life brings you closer to God.

Journaling

Meditating on the word of God also includes a step called journaling. In this process, you write down your insights, thoughts, and reflections in a journal to keep it part of your memory. It may be a small diary that you will always keep with you. At times, a good thought or idea comes to our minds, which needs to be recorded there and then without forgetting it later.

In such a scenario, it is a good idea to carry a small diary in your pocket so as to record the routine, changes and guidance you have been taking from the religious scriptures. When you write down your thoughts, you get a chance to clarify and refine your understanding which will eventually help in spiritual growth and betterment.

Offering Prayer Followed by Meditation on the Word of God

In the process of meditating on the word of God, offering prayer plays an important part. You should introduce and stick to offering prayer in your daily routine. God speaks to you through His word, while you can communicate with God through your prayers. Through prayer, you can seek mercy, guidance, and forgiveness. You can also express gratitude, your feelings, and your thoughts with God through prayer.

Silence and Stillness

The next step in the process of meditation is practising silence and stillness. It is a follow-up in the entire scheme of meditation after you have read and comprehended the will and wisdom of God. Some moments of silence are necessary for you to internalize the message into your memory and thoughts conveyed in the verse of passage.

This will be a novel experience for you but ultimately you will find inner peace and satisfaction at an optimum level. Similarly, silence and stillness is necessary to held istikhara prayer in order to seek guidance from the lawgiver. To know more about the pattern of praying istikhara you can read How to pray Istikhara

Galvanizing yourself with Message in Daily Life

Having read and comprehended the word of God, the next move is to take a step forward and to have some practical implementation of what you have got from the scripture. Think of the ways, means and manners you can apply the teachings and wisdom inherent in the Scripture in your daily life. You can do this by identifying specific changes or actions you can make so that you can align your life with the principles found in this process of meditation.

Stay Consistent

Determination is the key to success, you need to be consistent and regular in your following and practice. You will not get the benefits of meditation from the word of God if you are not consistent. You must try to meditate regularly, whether you do it on a daily basis or at other intervals that work best for you. However, must consider that consistency brings you closer to God, his word, and the faith.

Conclusion

In this article, we have shed light on the ways by which individuals can meditate on the word of God and the processes involved to get a deeper comprehension of the will and wisdom of God. The process or practice ‘how to meditate on the word of God’ involves several steps which are easy to remember and follow.

After adopting the practice of meditation, you can hope to understand faith at a deeper level and navigate the challenges of life with fortitude, wisdom, and compassion, that too in the light of religious guidance given through divine sources.

Individuals can also develop a lasting connection with God, attain personal growth and spiritual betterment, foster inner peace and tranquillity, and strike a balance between their beliefs and actions through engagement.

By actively and constantly following this practice, individuals can achieve great benefits, not only in this life but the Hereafter. Meditation on the word of God is a profound practice which holds great potential to enrich one’s spiritual journey. You can gain great insights that strike harmony with your life by delving deep into the teachings of religious Scripture and acting upon the revelations.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

How to do you meditate on God’s word in the Bible?

in order to meditate, you need to stay silent for some time, converse with God, read then repeat the part of scripture many times and also seek guidance from God by undergoing meditative prayer.

What does it mean to meditate on the word of God?

It is the process of thinking about what is required by God and keeping the said actions as part and parcel of your life. Thinking deeply about what God has required and giving focus to the underlying causes is deemed meditating on the word of God.

What is meditation and how it is done with the Holy Quran?

Reading the Holy Quran is a powerful tool to take into habit. Allah (SWT) stated that ‘this is a blessed scripture we have sent down to you people to let the others know the style of the working.

How do I start meditating on God's word?

Open the scripture and read the verse, part of it or the verses you plan to meditate over. Spend as much time as you can just to gain a basic understanding of the words, then bookmark the verse for later; you'll need to refer to it continually throughout your meditation. After you read through the passage, try reading through it again.

What are the three ways to meditate on the word of God?

•Write down the points of communication with God to acquire maximum time. •Speak your verse loudly and repeatedly. •Read, listened comprehend the message of the lawgiver.