| an meditation is a way of communicating with God. | | | | people using them to take their focus off their own |
| Christians can use this meditation to clear their minds | | | | problems and to turn to God to hear what He had to |
| of the busy thoughts of the day and concentrate | | | | say to them. |
| solely on worshipping God and learning the truths of | | | | A woman named St. Theresa of Avila created five |
| the Bible. | | | | steps to help Christians focus on God when praying. |
| Centuries ago, monks began practicing Christian | | | | These five steps are known as the five R's. |
| meditation by reading over verses in the Bible and | | | | - The first R is Ready: this is the step in which the |
| then thinking about the truths in these verses. Often, | | | | Christian realizes that he/she is in the presence of |
| they would say the verses to God as a prayer. In | | | | God. To be ready to continue in prayer, the Christian |
| this way, the monks learned to speak to God in | | | | thanks God for the many blessings He gives, and |
| prayer, and learned how to tell God their own | | | | confesses any sins. |
| thoughts and concerns. By meditating on Bible verses | | | | - The second R is Read, and includes reading prayers, |
| and praying to God, the monks trained their minds to | | | | spiritual books, and the Bible. |
| always think about God. They called this | | | | - The third R is Reflect. In this step, the Christian |
| contemplation, and it helped them to have a | | | | focuses on what he/she has just read in order to |
| close, loving relationship with God. | | | | come closer to God. |
| By following this method of communicating with God, | | | | - The fourth R is Respond. It is at this step that the |
| the monks created what is called the ladder of | | | | Christian speaks with God in an open and honest way |
| prayer. The rungs of the ladder included reading | | | | about what he/she has been reading and thinking |
| Bible verses, thinking about the truths in the verses, | | | | about. It is the most important step, as this is when |
| praying to God, and learning to think about God | | | | God can share His wisdom and thoughts with the |
| always. | | | | Christian. |
| In the 1900s, two types of Christian meditation were | | | | - The fifth and final R is Resolve. This is when the |
| used. Using a mantra, or word that is repeated to | | | | Christian thanks God for what he/she has learned, |
| help the Christian focus on God, was one type of | | | | and closes the time of prayer. |
| meditation. An example of a mantra would be the | | | | These different types of Christian meditation can all |
| word Maranatha, which is an Aramaic word for | | | | be useful in helping Christians to meet with God, |
| come, Lord. Christians would also use what is | | | | come close to Him, and learn His truths. Christian |
| called a Centering Prayer, which uses a sacred word | | | | meditation does not save a person from their sins; it |
| or words to bring the Christian into God's presence. | | | | is a tool that can be used by people who are already |
| These two types of Christian meditation helped the | | | | saved to build a stronger relationship with God. |