Do you sometimes find it hard to pray?

Does the word “meditation” put you off? You feel meditation’s not really your thing?

Perhaps you think “I wouldn’t even know where to start.” Have no fear; I have great news to share with you.

Meditation, your birthright

Let me assure you that every Christian can meditate. It’s really quite straightforward, even easy. Forget, for a moment, all you may have heard about other kinds of meditation.

They often seem complicated, unfamiliar, even a bit out of your comfort zone.

Christian Meditation is quite simply talking with God.

It’s more than just reciting set prayers, created by someone else. Meditation is speaking in your very own words, because you are unique, one of a kind and special to God. God really wants to hear what you’ve got to say.

Meditation is opening up your heart to Him.

Sharing your deepest feelings, concerns, hopes and fears. A moment of Divine Intimacy. God answers by filling your heart and mind with all that is good, holy, true and joyful.

Surely the problem is my sin?

“But why.” you ask, “would God be interested in what I’ve got to say? I’ve always been told that I’m a sinner, unworthy to be close to God.”

The answer is love. It’s all about love. Life’s all about love.

A loving person fully respects, accepts and opens to the other. And so does God. We have even seen the Infinite Love of God take on our human flesh in Jesus.

As John’s gospel assures us, “God is Love.”

After all, you believe God is Infinite Love, don’t you? You know that He created you in love. He sustains your life at every second, because He still loves you passionately.

He never takes back His Love for you. He has prepared a special place for you in His Everlasting Kingdom.

Our Faith teaches us, without any doubt, all these beautiful truths.

God’s Love for everyone

God loves you, unreservedly. That is the naked gospel truth; and it doesn’t matter what you have done. It doesn’t matter how sinful you feel. It doesn’t matter if you think God is going to punish you for your “grevous offences,”  send you to Hell for ever.

Let the gospel truth set you free.

Let me repeat. The truth is “God is Love.” He can never reject you.

We need to hear that message over and over again. We must feel totally secure in God’s Love. Why?

Because, traditionally, people have got very mixed messages about God. After all, He is said to send people to Hell. Doesn’t that throw an almighty spanner in the works?

Hell Fire and Damnation?

We need to be crystal clear about who and what God really is. And what He’s not.

He’s not an ogre. He’s not a monster. He’s not a God of “Hell Fire and Damnation.” How could a Loving God even think of such a horrific revenge on His own children? Would you?

He will most certainly take you to Heaven when you die. You’re made for Heaven; it’s your true home. Eternal Bliss is just a heartbeat away.

If all that is true, and you firmly believe that it’s true, then talking to God is easy. It’s easy to talk with someone friendly who knows you, accepts you and would never hurt you. Someone who loves you.

A Chat with your Divine Lover

So if you believe, with all your heart, that God’s in Love with you, then talk with Him. Praise Him. Thank Him. Speak to Him as lovers do.

Tell Him what’s on your mind, what’s bothering you. Share with God your deepest desires, fears, worries and concerns.

Above all, banish all fear from your heart. Fear has been a massive weapon in the hands of people who simply don’t really believe that God is Love.

“He’s a loving God, yes, but He’s also committed to Justice,” they say. “He saves the good guys, but He has to punish the bad guys.”

Salvation for all?

Let’s never forget that God is quite clever too. After all, He’s infinitely Wise. Don’t you think God could find a way of bringing round the “bad guys” to His way of thinking?

Help them to see the error of their ways?

Convert them to a better frame of mind?

Forgive them, like Jesus did on the cross? Embrace them as a mother her rebellious, troubled and broken son?

Sending them to Hell, “for all Eternity” would mean that God’s given up on them for ever. He’s lost the fight with evil.

Can you imagine yourself being perfectly happy in Heaven, knowing that “just down the road,” as it were, there are countless people suffering eternal torment? Maybe even people you knew and loved?

Could you live with the thought of “Satan” laughing his head off at God? “God’s a loser,’ he cries in triumph, as he stokes up the fire.

No way! Surely this can’t be the true meaning of the metaphor about the sheep and the goats. For me God is always the winner. He can’t lose, for His Love will always find a way.

The Secret Key to easy prayer

So, for me, the golden key to prayer and meditation is to realize that “God is Love.”

Just as you find it easy and delightful to talk with the “love of your life,” in the same way it will be easy and delightful to talk with the “Infinite Love of your life.”

If your thinking about God is in the right place, then it’s just so simple to pray. It will be the spontaneous overflow of a heart filled with gratitude, love and peace.

Why not find a little time each day to have a chat with God? That’s all meditation is.

The reward will be a whole new relationship with your Divine Love, as you wait until He calls you back home.

If you have found this post helpful, you might like to check out our Christian Podcasts. Click above on the podcast menu.

Gerry McCann (The Merry Monk) 

@themerry_monk

In this podcast we focus on the power of the Holy Spirit in your life.

Our Bible text for this meditation is Acts 1:8

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” 

Peace and blessings to you and your loved-ones.

Rev. Gerry McCann

The Merry Monk

In this podcast we rejoice in the infinite love God has for all his children. Our future is with God alone.

Our Bible text for this meditation is 1 Jn. 4:7,8

“Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God: everyone who loves is born of God and know God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is Love.” 

Peace and blessings to you and your loved-ones.

Rev. Gerry McCann

The Merry Monk

In this podcast we again focus on the greatest possible expression of God: Love. We are called to share that love forever.

Our Bible text for this meditation is Mat. 22:37

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your Heart, all your soul, and all your mind. . .  you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 

Peace and blessings to you and your loved-ones.

Rev. Gerry McCann

The Merry Monk

In this podcast we open up our mind and heart in faith to the promise of heaven and eternal life to come.

Our Bible text for this meditation is Mat. 17:2

“He was transfigured before them, his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.” 

Peace and blessings to you and your loved-ones.

Rev. Gerry McCann

The Merry Monk

In this podcast we learn how suffering can forge and build our character.

Our Bible text for this meditation is Mat. 16:24

“If any want to be my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” 

Peace and blessings to you and your loved-ones.

Rev. Gerry McCann

The Merry Monk

In this podcast meditation we delve into the problem of spiritual blindness, which may be hidden even within the best people.

Our Bible text for this meditation is Mat. 9:29

“Then he touched their eyes and said according to your faith, let it be done to you, and their eyes were opened.” 

Peace and blessings to you and your loved-ones.

Rev. Gerry McCann

The Merry Monk

In this podcast we meditate on our Christian attitude and acceptance of sinners. In this we follow the command of Jesus.

Our Bible text for this meditation is  (Mat. 9:13)

“I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have come to call not the righteous but Sinners.” 

Peace and blessings to you and your loved-ones.

Rev. Gerry McCann

The Merry Monk

In this podcast we meditate on the question of Divine Healing. The Bible tells us God wants to heal us, yet often our experience is different. We discover what God really wants above all.

Our Bible text for this meditation is  (Mat. 9:6)

“He then said to the paralytic, stand up, take your bed, and go to your home.” 

Peace and blessings to you and your loved-ones.

Rev. Gerry McCann

The Merry Monk

In this podcast we

Our Bible text for this meditation is  (Mat. 6:10)

“Your Will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven.” 

Peace and blessings to you and your loved-ones.

Rev. Gerry McCann

The Merry Monk

In this podcast we turn our attention to the well known Golden Rule, telling us that everything in life comes down to love. Love God, Love our neighbour as we love ourselves.

Our Bible text for this meditation is  (Mat. 7:12)

“In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.” 

Peace and blessings to you and your loved-ones.

Rev. Gerry McCann

The Merry Monk

In this podcast we think about the Christian life as it is lived every single day. We focus on our daily walk of faith, Walking with God.

Our Bible text for this meditation is  (Mat. 7:7)

“Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.” 

Peace and blessings to you and your loved-ones.

Rev. Gerry McCann

The Merry Monk

In this podcast we focus on how a Christian is invited to avoid all hypocrisy, and standing in judgement over others.

Our Bible text for this meditation is  (Mat. 6:37)

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.” 

Peace and blessings to you and your loved-ones.

Rev. Gerry McCann

The Merry Monk

In this podcast you will meditate on your on the infinite treasures that await us all in heaven. That helps you to keep earthly treasures in perspective. This ensures that your heart will focus on what’s most important in your life.

Our Bible text for this meditation is  (Mat. 6:19-21)

“Do not store treasures on earth, but in Heaven. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be.”

Peace and blessings to you and your loved-ones.

Rev. Gerry McCann

The Merry Monk

In the next 3 podcasts you focus on 3 important dimensions of Christian life. In this meditation you explore beyond forgiveness towards love.

Our Bible text for this meditation is  (Mat. 5:44)

“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

Peace and blessings to you and your loved-ones.

Rev. Gerry McCann

The Merry Monk

Peace and blessings to you and your loved-ones.

This is third podcast in which we meditate on our Christian call to mission: Forgiveness Your Call to Holiness.

In this podcast you focus on asking yourself about forgiveness in your life. We all find it hard to forgive, don’t we?

Moving on gives you peace of mind.

Our Bible text for this meditation is  (Mat. 5:38)

“If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also. “

Peace and blessings to you and your loved-ones.

Rev. Gerry McCann

The Merry Monk

This is the second of our 3 podcasts in which we meditate on our Christian call to mission: A Heart in the Right Place.

Our Bible text for this meditation is  (Mat. 5:8)

“Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God “

In this podcast you focus on cleansing your heart of all arrogance and hypocrisy. You aspire to have a heart that is pure, simple and humble. Only in this way can we hope to pass on the message of Jesus to others.

Peace and blessings to you and your loved-ones.

Rev. Gerry McCann

The Merry Monk

Over the next 3 podcasts we meditate on our Christian call to mission: Preparing for mission transforming our world.

Our Bible text for this meditation is  (Mat. 5:13, 14)

“You are the salt of the earth, you are the light of the world. “

In this podcast we focus on our Christian community of love and service.

Peace and blessings to you and your loved-ones.

Rev. Gerry McCann

The Merry Monk

Our Bible text for this meditation is  (Mat. 5:7)

“Blessed are the merciful for they will receive mercy.”

Peace and blessings to you and your loved-ones.

Rev. Gerry McCann

The Merry Monk

True Discipleship of Jesus, Called to Live the Beatitudes.

The 8 Beatitudes outline some of the essential virtues for living the Christian life to the full. In this meditation we focus on justice.

Our Bible text for this meditation is  (Mat. 5:6)

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

Peace and blessings to you and your loved-ones

Rev. Gerry McCann

The Merry Monk

True Discipleship of Jesus, Called to Live the Beatitudes.

The 8 Beatitudes outline some of the essential virtues for living the Christian life to the full. In this meditation we focus your Christian Call to Humility.

Our Bible text for this meditation is  (Mat. 5:5)

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. “

Peace and blessings to you and your loved-ones.

Rev, Gerry McCann

The Merry Monk

Our Bible text for this meditation is  (Mat. 4:19)

“And he said to them: follow me and I will make you fishers of men. “

Peace and blessings to you and your loved-ones.

Rev, Gerry McCann

The Merry Monk

Our Bible text for this meditation is  (Mat. 4:4)

“One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. “

Peace and blessings to you and your loved-ones.

Rev, Gerry McCann

The Merry Monk

Our Bible text for this meditation is  (Mat. 3:3)

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord.  “

Peace and blessings to you and your loved-ones.

Rev. Gerry McCann

The Merry Monk

How to use these Christian Meditations

These meditations are designed for all Christians, irrespective of denomination and your own personal Christian experience. My aim is to share with you all those beautiful, life-giving truths that we all love, we live and we share with one voice. These meditations will deal with different readings from the Bible.

These meditations can be used in any way you find best for your own needs. You can use a different one each day. Or you can use the same meditation for a number of days, as you delve deeper into its meaning and how it can help you. Some people find this more useful. There are no rules, except one: what you yourself find most helpful. Ideally you would find a least few minutes every day, making them a little daily spiritual commitment.

My aim is to help you in your own spiritual journey towards the fullness of God’s Kingdom. This is a awesome journey into the very depths of God, as you delve ever deeper into the mystery of your life, death and eternity.

My understanding of “meditation,” is simple and straightforward. First, you find a quiet spot, where you know you won’t be disturbed for a little while.

You gather your thoughts, and try to focus all your attention on what you are doing. You try to block out the past, and the future. Be “in the moment” with one simple aim in mind: to focus on the ever present God, in whom “we live and move and have our being.” You open your heart and mind in prayer, and come closer to God and His purpose for your life. A few moments of quiet, prayerful and mindful reflection.

You listen to a bible quote, and a prayer asking the Holy Spirit to help you. You hear the short reflection on the quote. After another short final prayer, you stop listening, close your eyes, and reflect on what you’ve just heard. You talk to God in your own words, opening up your heart and mind.

Then you remain silent, and that’s when God can speak to your heart. This will feed the depths of your subconscious mind which, as you know, works night and day for you, under the surface of your conscious awareness. You’ll know it’s from God, because it will be loving, caring and compassionate. Take as long as you want. It’s your time, your experience.

I am convinced that this little dedication of your time and energy will help you to keep better focussed on your true purpose in life. This is so important in today’s secular world, where we are bombarded with all kinds of information, good, bad and indifferent.

A little oasis of prayer in the midst of this ongoing turmoil will be beneficial to you in every way. My prayer for you is that these meditations make a small contribution towards your own spiritual journey, wherever you are at present.

“Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Your Love. Amen”

Blessings to you and yours,

Rev. Gerry McCann

The Merry Monk