Subject: Prayer #8
Title: Prayer and Meditation
Text: Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-2
Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
The biblical practice of meditation goes back to the book of Genesis 24:64-64 where the word is first used when
“Isaac went out to meditate in the field at eventide...”
It was on this occasion that he met his wife Rebekah.
Webster defines the verb “to meditate” as follows:
* To contemplate; to keep the mind fixed upon; to study
* To purpose; to intend; to design; to plan by revolving the mind
* Synonyms are: consider, ponder, weigh or study
Biblically, meditation is associated with prayer (Psalm 5:1); singing praises to the Lord
(Psalm 104:33-34); witnessing and testifying for the Lord (Psalm 77:12); the Word of God
(Psalm 119:15,23,48,78,97,99,148). Meditation is to be done with understanding (Psalm
49:3), and is to be acceptable unto the Lord (Psalm 19:14).
What are some of the hindrances we face in prayer and meditation?
1. Spiritual opposition
2. Over scheduling
3. Failure to designate a quiet time and place
4. Imagination burn out
5. Failure to recognize its importance to our peace of mind and spiritual well being
6. Laziness
Meditate = Consider
One of the synonyms for “to meditate” under Webster’s definition was “to consider.” Our
King James Bible lists numerous things we are to meditate upon or consider:

1. “Consider the wondrous works of God” (Job 37:14)
Job 37:14 Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of
God.
Isaiah 5:12 And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.
Psalm 8:3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
Psalm 143:5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
Ecclesiastes 7:13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
2. “Consider how great things God hath done for you” (1 Samuel 12:24).
1 Samuel 12:24 Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.
Psalm 64:9 And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.
Matthew 6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
Luke 12:24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?...27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Deuteronomy 4:39 Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the
LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.
3. “Consider your ways” (Haggai 1:5-7)
Haggai 1:5 Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.

6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.
7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
Deuteronomy 8:5 Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.
4. Consider the fruit of slothfulness and laziness.
Proverbs 6:6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
Proverbs 24:30 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
32 Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.
5. Consider the “end” of the wicked (Psalm 73:17)
Psalm 73:3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked....17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
Proverbs 21:12 The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but
God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
6. “Consider Him” (Hebrews 12:3)
Hebrews 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Hebrews 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the
Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;