September 1, 2023
Essentials of Effective Meditation
When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. So, do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Pray, then, in this way: `Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [ For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.' For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. Matthew 6:5-15
In our normal everyday routines, there are countless voices that vie for our attention. Our children cry for it, our employers insist on it, and our loved ones yearn for it. Amidst all these competing demands, it can be difficult to discern the most important voice of all—that of our heavenly Father. Is it any wonder, then, that He sometimes seems distant or we can’t clearly make out what He’s trying to tell us?
Unless we make an effort to retreat from life’s noisy demands for a moment or two, our ability to hear God’s voice will likely be weakened. Jesus was well aware of this need to pull away regularly to pray and meditate on Scripture. In teaching the disciples how to pray, Jesus told them to go into their rooms and close the door behind them (Matthew 6:6). He knew that in order to commune with the Father, “decluttering” our schedules and thoughts was vital.
You and I are blessed—and cursed—with constant communication through our phones, tablets, and computers. But true communion with the Lord demands some seclusion. So, let’s turn off the TV, music, and phone notifications, and listen for God’s voice. Claim a block of time for the heavenly Father today, even if you start with only five minutes.
Listen to Dr. Michael W. Wesley Sr. on OnePlace.com
Watch Dr. Michael W. Wesley Sr. on LightSource.com
