“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7
Build Relationship
Through prayer and meditation, we communicate and build a relationship with our God and Savior. This is a very important practice, one that is essential to understanding the very specific work God has for us. It is how we are guided by God to become our best selves, body, soul, and mind, in order to carry out our God given purpose.
Follow the example of Jesus and how often He prayed- early in the morning before daybreak (mark 1:35), alone at night (Matthew 14:23), in the wilderness for 40 days before his ministry began (Luke 4:1), earnestly in the garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:44). Jesus encourages prayer, He says to “always pray and never give up” (Luke 18:1).
Build Connection
When we pray and meditate we give thanks and praise and make the request of our hearts known to God. Prayer and meditation also puts us in a place of deep thought and reflection, as in the gospel, “I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, And on Your wondrous works” (Psalm 145:5) also “I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands” (Psalm 143:5). Through prayer and meditation our connection with God is strengthened and we are able to receive clearer direction on what is best for our lives.
Start.Find a quiet place where you can pray and meditate without distraction. You can have your bible or a note sheet with you in case you are inspired to find a passage or remember something God sparks in your thoughts. Speak to God, cry out to Him, whisper to Him, thank Him, praise Him, sit silently with Him, feel His Spirit and let His Spirit flow through you. Make the most of your time with Him, God delights in this time, it pleases Him.