How To Meditate
Welcome to the next generation of meditation. As a Christian, you may find more than one faithful way to enter the Kingdom of God and rest in His presence. The goal is not to perform a technique perfectly. The goal is to find a prayerful way of being still with God that you can actually practice on a regular basis.
Fifteen minutes is a solid starting point. When you’re ready, twenty minutes is even better. Ultimately, thirty minutes gives the mind and body more time to settle into silence and peace. If practicing alone is difficult, join a group. Christian Meditation Center offers guided training and live meditation sessions to help you stay grounded, accountable and committed.
Christian Meditation
Christian meditation is a way of abiding in God’s presence without a separate agenda. Prayer involves speaking with God. Meditation creates room to receive from Him, listen attentively, and deepen the relationship rather than treating God like a one-way conversation partner.
A Christian Guided Meditation
- Sit upright with your shoulders relaxed and your hands in your lap.
- Cultivate gratitude and thank God for life, mercy, and His presence.
- Pray the Lord’s Prayer slowly, surrendering yourself to God’s love and care.
- Move your attention toward the Kingdom of God within, the center of your being.
- Focus gently on the heart, imagine it filled with light and love, and let your thoughts unwind.
- If distracted, return quietly to the heart or to the breath without frustration.
- Remain in silence and stillness for about twenty minutes.
- Conclude slowly, thank God, and carry the peace into the rest of your day.
Watch Teresa Yerkes lead a 20-minute guided Christian meditation session and use it as a practical starting point for your own quiet practice.
Centering Prayer
Centering Prayer is a receptive method of silent prayer that consents to God’s presence and action within. It is both a relationship with God and a discipline that helps foster that relationship over time.
- Choose a sacred word, such as Jesus, Peace, or Love, to symbolize your intention to consent to God’s presence and action within.
- Sit comfortably with eyes closed, settle briefly, and introduce the sacred word silently.
- When thoughts pull you away, return very gently to the sacred word.
- At the end of the prayer period, remain in silence for a couple of minutes before rising.
For deeper instruction in Centering Prayer, explore Contemplative Outreach.
Guided Christian Meditation
Some people learn best through guided centering practices or Scripture-based reflection meditations. These can support weekly worship, personal prayer, and re-entry when your practice feels stalled.
For more guided Christian meditation content, visit The Contemplative Christian.