As a ministry leader, you’re likely familiar with the holy habits of prayer, worship, reading the Bible, giving, and the sacraments. These habits are each deeply significant in their own way, yet it’s all too easy to begin doing them mindlessly as part of a routine.

Ask yourself these questions:

  • Do you worship like you believe God notices?
  • Do you truly believe that God answers prayer?
  • Do you give like you believe God calls us to sacrificial giving?
  • Do you read the Bible as the divine, holy, sacred Word of God?
  • Do you come to Communion truly desiring to commune with God and community?


Do you think, with all of the noise that is present in your life every day, that you would be able to hear God’s still, small voice? If God responds to your holy habits of prayer, worship, and the rest, how are you making yourself available to listen?

Meditation is a Key to Success

This is where meditation comes in. Meditation is no new concept, and it isn’t exclusive to Eastern religions or New Age beliefs. 

When the Beatles discovered meditation in the 1960s, it was as if it had just been invented. It changed their lives, music, and culture, because they took time away from the busyness of their lives to contemplate that which is greater than themselves.


Yet meditation has been a part of Judeo-Christian practice for centuries. After the death of Moses, God called Joshua to meditate on the Book of Law day and night so that he would be careful to act in accordance with it. God promised that this would make Joshua prosperous and successful. (Joshua 1:8)


The very first Psalm reads:

“Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked…
But their delight is in the law of the LORD
And on his law they meditate day and night.
They are like trees planted by streams of water
Which yield their fruit in its season and their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper.” (Psalm 1:1-3)

The Hebrew word for “meditate” occurs 25 times in the Old Testament and is clearly associated with a successful life, and the discernment of God’s will. In the New Testament, Paul encourages the Christians in Philippi to think about the positive values of life – values that are honorable, just, pure, pleasing, and commendable. (Philippians 4:4-9) 

How to Start Meditating Today

If you’re wondering why you’re not getting much out of times of worship or Bible reading, it could be due to a lack of meditation time. Meditation is our receptive spirit to God’s communication. Without taking the time and making the effort to receive the gifts God gives back, holy habits become empty. 


There are many different ways to meditate. Essentially, though, it amounts to putting oneself into an environment that creates space to focus and ponder the ways of God. This may be silence, or it may include some dialogue. It could include singing, or journaling one’s thoughts. It takes some practice to find out what works best for you.

Try this exercise: read Paul’s words in Philippians 4:8-9, and choose a phrase on which to focus. Read the passage again, and think of how that phrase fits your needs. Then read the passage a third time, and say a prayer for how you will approach your week differently because of the phrase.

Meditating like this will help you get in touch with God in ways that make your work more fulfilling, relationships more caring, and service in the community more sincere. It will help you understand your need for daily time with God, where you can get away from the noise and busyness that keep you from hearing God’s Word. 

The contemplation of God’s will brings calm in the midst of the storms of daily life. It brings order in the chaos. It brings meaning to the unimaginable. It brings a peace that passes all understanding. Doctors have also remarked at the positive health benefits of those who meditate. So, what are you waiting for? Give meditation a try today. 


About the Author: Rev. Terry Carty is the pastor of Kingston Springs United Methodist Church outside of Nashville,TN. He is a senior consultant with the Center for Youth Ministry Excellence, the former director of the United Methodist YouthWorker Movement, and the former director of Youth Ministry at the General Board of Discipleship.