Prayer & Meditation (Step 11)
Prayer and meditation are our principal means of conscious contact with God. Since natural man in his carnal state is an enemy to God “it isn’t surprising that we often tend to slight serious meditation and prayer as something not really necessary. To be sure, we feel it is something that might
help us to meet an occasional emergency, but at first many of us are apt to regard it as a somewhat mysterious skill of clergymen, from which we may hope to get a secondhand benefit. Or perhaps we don’t believe in these things at all.” (AA 12 & 12).
Many of us believe hope, joy, peace and fulfillment comes from an earthly source. Whether the source is work, playing a sport, alcohol, sex, gambling, shopping, cooking, or revolving our lives around our children—whatever our particular interests are; these are only temporary pleasures—our effort was to get by in a world where we live in the moment. But we were never quite fulfilled, nothing satisfied the longing felt. But, as we have worked and lived the previous 10 steps, our hearts and lives have changed.
Those of us that have made a conscious effort to serve the Lord have found that this is something that MUST be done often. Otherwise, temptations that that seek to pull us away creep in. Many set time aside daily to pray and study God’s word; the two best ways to learn his will for us.
Now, reading the bible isn’t easy…not at all. The first time I read it (well, every time) I would always read it at bedtime when all is quiet. I always prayed for understanding…..every single time. This helped a lot and now it seems like second nature. I also, only read a chapter or two a night as not to get overwhelmed. It is a good idea to write down questions that come up as you read so you can pray about them. I didn’t used to do that and I would ALWAYS forget what I had questions about.
As we make this effort our ability to resist temptation will grow as we continue to study the scriptures, pray and meditate about them and seek the Lord. Learning to receive revelation (his will) takes practice and patience. When we express gratitude to the Lord for the blessings we have received, and when we help others, our capacity to receive guidance and blessings will increase.
Useful Prayers
Ask for guidance in the way of patience, kindness, tolerance and love especially within our family.
Pray as to what we can do today for someone else (stop thinking about ourselves so much).
Pray for specific people in need, or those with whom we’re angry.
What helped you in your study? How did you seek God’s will for your life?
so important as Christians (and for those especially in recovery) to have that daily time of prayer and meditation before the Lord ?
Prayer is so important. I’m trying to teach my daughters to pray throughout the day.
starting first with the Bible… ?
What has help me in my study is joining with others? It encourages me to study. Also, pray and quieting my spirit so I can hear what the spirit has to say.
Yes, quieting ourselves so we can hear the Lord speak to us is very important! Thanks for stopping by Marilyn!
Very good article! Many Christians have stayed away from the word “meditation” because they associate it with pagans. Meditation is such an important part of our connection with God. Just being still and appreciating His presence or reading the Bible is a form of meditation.
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This is a real discipline, one that I feel acutely when I let it slide (which has been more often lately than I like, which could explain a whole lot.
). Sometimes my mind wanders and I feel guilty, but often that “wandering” is where the “being still and knowing” happens. Those moments often take me by surprise, in a good way! 
I’m with you- reading just a few chapters a day helps me a lot. When I sit down with plans to wipe out an entire book I rarely remember much or feel any kind of connection with the text. Reading Scripture in tiny chunks lets me meditate on what I’ve read. Even better for me is to read some background on the book I”m working through so that I have a better context for what was going on when the book was written.
Yes, thanks for writing about this. Along with the growing advancement of technology is the continued drop in Christian engagement in Bible meditation. May God give us wisdom in encouraging ourselves first to keep the lost art of Bible meditation and prayer.
I really like your suggestions for useful prayers.
This world needs so much love. We have to practice it further than what meets the eyes.
Very inspiring.
Thanks for sharing it.
Thank Debbie!
Prayer is so important. It’s our way to communicate clearly to our God, and why wouldn’t we want Him to know our thoughts, especially when they are on Him?
Marissa
Thanks for this reminder!!! So good!!!
Love the name of the site, and we do need prayer in our progress and journey.
Thanks for stopping by Sacha!