In the Bible, God calls on Christians to (Psalm 48:10) " Be still and know that I am God". This is wise advice in the fast moving world of British life, but how do we do this?

Meditation may be one answer, but many in Britain would relate meditation with the version presented by eastern religions and philosophies - with chakras, mantras, chanting and a concept of oneness with nature.

However, as we turn to the Bible we find that, for Christians, meditation is quite different;

Many eastern meditation techniques begin with the intention of clearing the mind of any focus through methods such as chanting mantras. However, every time meditation is mentioned in the Bible it has a very specific focus, God - on His law, on His word, on His greatness, on His works..... .

Christians should not only "be still", but at the same time they should meditate on the fact that He "is God". As King David wrote (Psalm 63:6) " On my bed I remember you: I think of you through the watches of the night". But what aspects of God should a Christian meditate on?

The Bible calls Christians to meditate on God's laws.

When God was giving advice to Joshua, as he took on the leadership of the nation of Israel, God instructed Joshua that (Joshua 1:8) "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.".

If Joshua reminded himself each day of God's laws, then it is sure that when temptation and trouble came, Joshua would think of God's laws and act in line with them. God's laws were, in effect, his guidance to keep him from harm and evil. Therefore, by constantly meditating on God's laws, and so acting on them, Joshua and his people would walk in God's will and only find success and prosperity.

That is also the message in Psalm 119 (in the left column). Meditating on God's "precepts" and his "ways" can be a Christians delight, whilst those who ignore them will find only God's rebuke.

If we bring God's ways into our thinking, by meditating on them , we will make wise and correct decisions in life that will make our lives happier and better.

In fact, meditating on God's word in the Bible is crucial to the life of a Christian.For the world can dominate our thoughts when our thoughts should lie with God and His values found in His word. As Paul wrote to the Romans (Romans 12:2) "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect".

Within God's word, in the Bible, there is wisdom, history, songs of praise, instruction, Christian example and much more. How much more shall we find God's peace if we meditate on these truths rather than the values of the frantic and flawed world around us.

King David sang to God (Psalm 119) "Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works". He understood that one thing we can do wherever we are - meditate on what God has done. We can look around us and see His creation in all its glory or we can silently consider all the things our God has done (not least for Christians that He gave His son to death on a cross in order to save us to eternal life with Him).

That is the call Paul makes to the Philippians when he asks them to look to what is good in God's world (Philippians 4) "...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.". By looking at the good, we fill our minds with that and we are affected by it for the better.

This is true because the world around us proclaims God's glory, as King David declares (Psalm 19:1) "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.". All that is around us proclaims God's work and we can meditate on them with awe and wonder.

What is more, Christians can meditate on the greatest work of God. A work that King David did not know of when he wrote many of the Psalms - God's saving grace through Jesus Christ.

As Christians meditate, their primary focus is on Jesus Christ, the saviour who lived and died to suffer for others sins so that as they repent of their sins and believe in Him today, they are washed of their sin and can look forward to eternal life with God.

To meditate on this wonderful truth helps Christians remember the hope, joy and love they have in Jesus Christ.

The most essential thing to do is take time to "be still" and know that He is God. Life in a modern industrialised world takes the mind away from God to the worries and excitements of a frenetic world.

Jesus deliberately took time to be with God, and so should we! This may involve going somewhere where the distractions of the world are at their least or it may involve blocking off time in your diary for God. Whatever you do to create that time, use it, maybe by following one of the suggestions listed below;

If we want our minds to meditate on God, there is nothing more effective than reading the Bible regularly. Reading a passage of God's word and then meditating on what it means, particularly for yourself, will anchor your mind on God and the great peace and hope you can have in Jesus Christ.

One of the most relaxing things one can do before going to bed, after a day of troubles and concerns, is to meditate on the life giving message of hope in Jesus Christ that is told in the Bible.

For further ideas on how to read and use the Bible, as well as what it is, please click on the following link:

Some Christians use prayer as a time of meditation. In the act of praying, Christians can contemplate God's greatness, wisdom, grace, etc. and express that in their "talk" with God.

However, in doing so, a Christian must remember that prayer is not a passive act - it is an active communication with God. It cannot be just the contemplation of God, because for Christians prayer is the opportunity to personally express to God all our praise, thanksgiving, repentance, petitions and fears. As Paul wrote to the Christians at Philippi (Philippians 4:6) "The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God".

Paul went on to say that when we do that "...the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus". For many that is the peace they want from meditation and Christians can access that peace through prayer.

If you wish to learn more about prayer please click on the following link;

It may seem strange to suggest that activities can help Christians meditate on God, but this can work. If that Christian activity encourages your mind to contemplate God, it is useful.

For example, there are cathedrals that have mazes laid out on the floor. This enables the visitor to walk along the winding path, taking their minds away from the distractions of world, and bringing their thoughts to God (maybe through the symbolism built into the maze's design).

Easter provides us with a good example of this approach; For many years our sister church at Thurlaston has had a "Meditation" during Good Friday afternoon. This service aims to give the congregation, through hymns, readings, silence, etc., the opportunity to meditate on all that Jesus went through to die for our sins, and on the immense grace and love of a God who would do that to bring us back into relationship with Him.

Many Christian Churches use "the stations of the cross" (a set of 12 locations you walk between, each one reminding you of the key moments in the Easter story) for the same purpose.

The most effective focus for our Christian meditation is Jesus Christ - the truth that He lived and died to suffer for our sins so that as we repent of our sins and believe in Him today, we are washed of our sin and can look forward to eternal life with God.

This is the wonderful assurance that we can meditate on. As Frances van Alstyne's famous hymn says "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine: O what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God; born of His Spirit; washed in His blood".

And as we meditate on this, we can feel the peace that is described in the last verse; "Perfect submission, all is at rest, I in my saviour (Jesus) am happy and blessed; watching and waiting, looking above, filled with His goodness, lost in His love.".