Meditation Meditation calls for people to rest in the silence to gain a better understanding and relationship in the Spirit. Richard J. Foster mentions meditation having multiple meanings in Scripture, including: listening to God’s word, reflecting on God’s works, rehearsing God’s deeds, ruminating on God’s law, and more (Foster, 1998, p.15). Foster also mentions that repentance and obedience are main features of meditation, and these features are what sets Christian meditation apart from other Eastern and secular religions. Jesus also took time to meditate and to be with His Father, and calls for His people to follow His ways. Foster says, “Christian meditation, very simply, is the ability to hear God’s voice and obey his word” (Foster, 1998,
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Foster says in his book, “what happens in meditation is that we create the emotional and spiritual space which allows Christ to construct an inner sanctuary in our heart” (Foster, 1998, p. 20). Joshua 1:8 says, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (ESV). Foster is careful to point out the difference between Eastern meditation and Christian meditation. Eastern meditation is a practice that is intended to empty the mind, while Christian meditation is the hope to fill the mind. Foster points out hints and meditation exercises that are intended to help readers become meditators. The first part is that there is not a certain time for meditation, but believers must be aware how central the whole day is to the attentiveness we have in our time of meditation. The next portion discusses finding a nice, quiet place that is free from interruptions. Finally, Foster discusses posture, and how the proper outward posture effects …show more content…
Foster discusses that in prayer people begin to think God’s thoughts after Him, follow His desires, love what He loves, and to will the things He wills (Foster, 1998). Foster discusses real prayer and explains that real prayer does involve a learning process. The first thing Foster points out is that when he was researching prayer in the Bible, Jesus never once mentioned “if it be thy will” when He was praying for others. There is no room for indecisiveness or half-hoping. God is a mighty God, therefore believers should not be negative in their prayers, but they should remain positive. The book also discusses searching prayers and the prayer of relinquishment. One important thing Foster points out is that an aspect in learning to pray for others is that we have to be able to get in contact with God. In order to be in contact with the Lord, we must quiet the outside world and attune ourselves to the silent thunder of the Lord. According to Foster, “we must hear, know, and obey the will of God before we pray it into the lives of others’ (Foster, 1998, p.39). Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God”
Foster says in his book, “what happens in meditation is that we create the emotional and spiritual space which allows Christ to construct an inner sanctuary in our heart” (Foster, 1998, p. 20). Joshua 1:8 says, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (ESV). Foster is careful to point out the difference between Eastern meditation and Christian meditation. Eastern meditation is a practice that is intended to empty the mind, while Christian meditation is the hope to fill the mind. Foster points out hints and meditation exercises that are intended to help readers become meditators. The first part is that there is not a certain time for meditation, but believers must be aware how central the whole day is to the attentiveness we have in our time of meditation. The next portion discusses finding a nice, quiet place that is free from interruptions. Finally, Foster discusses posture, and how the proper outward posture effects …show more content…
Foster discusses that in prayer people begin to think God’s thoughts after Him, follow His desires, love what He loves, and to will the things He wills (Foster, 1998). Foster discusses real prayer and explains that real prayer does involve a learning process. The first thing Foster points out is that when he was researching prayer in the Bible, Jesus never once mentioned “if it be thy will” when He was praying for others. There is no room for indecisiveness or half-hoping. God is a mighty God, therefore believers should not be negative in their prayers, but they should remain positive. The book also discusses searching prayers and the prayer of relinquishment. One important thing Foster points out is that an aspect in learning to pray for others is that we have to be able to get in contact with God. In order to be in contact with the Lord, we must quiet the outside world and attune ourselves to the silent thunder of the Lord. According to Foster, “we must hear, know, and obey the will of God before we pray it into the lives of others’ (Foster, 1998, p.39). Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God”