“We have some idea, perhaps, what prayer is, but what is meditation? Well may we ask, for meditation is a lost art today, and Christian people suffer grievously from their ignorance of the practice. Meditation is the activity of calling to mind, and thinking over, and dwelling on, and applying to oneself, the various things that one knows about the works and ways and purposes and promises of God.”—J.I. Packer
As Packers statement so eloquently captures, we have lost something in our faith…something central to it. Meditation is an old and beautiful practice among faithful followers of Jesus, and has been for generations.
The reason it is so often avoided is because we have been [persuaded in western culture, from Eastern mystics that the only form of meditation is that practiced by Buddhist an others, in which one seeks to clear their minds of all thoughts as to become one with one’s self. First, it is impossible to clear your mind of all thought, because it never shuts down, even when sleeping, this is why we dream.
True and right spiritual meditation is, as Packer said, dwelling on and indulging in who God is, so that you have a clearer picture of who you are in Christ. this brings the confidence that allows us to boldly approach Him in prayer, and have expectation that He is listening and will answer.
I encourage as this year begins to renew this practice in your own life. Take time to get alone, and meditate on the attributes of God. Find scriptures that exalt those attributes most clearly, and meditate on them. This will bring a renewed intimacy with and confidence in the Triune God, and His intentions towards you.
That J I Packer knows what hes talking about.