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