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What is Contemplative Prayer?

...Christian meditation it shouldn't even be compared.   Scriptures often speak of meditation, but not in the “emptying” sense, but rather, meditating on the Lord and his Word. The Psalmist says this often, and usually says only good and delight/joy will come of it. Psalms 1:2...but their delight is in the law of the Lord,and on his law they meditate day and night.   Not only meditating on God's Law and commands, but also just about him. Psalms 63:6...I think of you on my bed,and meditate on you in the watches of the night Psalms 145:5On the glorious splendor of your majesty,and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. &...

Spiritual Disciplines of the Early Church: Ancient Practices for the 21st Century

...Christian meditation should be focused on God and Scripture, and being filled with the Spirit, rather than the complete emptying of oneself. For as [Anthony] was sitting alone on the mountain, if ever he was in perplexity in his meditations, this was revealed to him by Providence in prayer. And the happy man, as it is written, was taught of God. (cf. Isa. 54:13; John 6:45) […] Pray continually; avoid vainglory; sing psalms before sleep and on awaking; hold in your heart the commandments of Scripture; […] And especially he counselled them to meditate continually on the Apostle’s word… Life of Anthony (356 – 362) …but his delight is in Yahweh...

Fasting: A spiritual and physical discipline

...Christian meditation which is the complete opposite to secular and Eastern religious meditation which aims to empty your mind. Christian meditation is about filling your mind with thoughts and reflections on and about God and Scripture – to really focus on a verse or passage of Scripture and to pray and wait on God in silence until you become aware of His presence and His voice (in whatever form that takes, ie. visions, pictures, words etc.), and are filled with the Spirit who can reveal the deeper things of God and Scripture (1 Corinthians 2:10). You can read more on this type of prayer, and it’s Scriptural basis, in my other article: What is Contemplativ...

Great Lent: The Season of Fasting

...Christian meditation which is the complete opposite to secular and Eastern religious meditation which aims to empty your mind. Christian meditation is about filling your mind with thoughts and reflections on and about God and Scripture – to really focus on a verse or passage of Scripture and to pray and wait on God in silence until you become aware of His presence and His voice (in whatever form that takes, i.e. visions, pictures, words etc.), and are filled with the Spirit who can reveal the deeper things of God and Scripture (1 Corinthians 2:10). You can read m�ore on this type of prayer, and its Scriptural basis, in my other article, here.� Pray the...

Fact-Checking the Viral Post Connecting Human Anatomy and the Bible

...rayer and meditation activate brain regions linked to focus, empathy, and emotional regulation. This fits well with Paul’s call to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2) and to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). 7. “Tears contain different chemicals depending on if you’re crying from joy or grief.” This is also true: emotional tears carry different proteins and hormones than reflex tears. The Bible treats tears with deep tenderness — “You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle” (Psalm 56:8), and “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 21:4). Ag...