Monday, August 12, 2013

prayer, solitude and meditation

i was in the temple this past weekend. we were trying to make the 7am session, but arrived just a few minutes too late. i was not too disappointed and looked forward to the peace and quite of the chapel. so, for the next hour, i read from luke - in particular, i read chapters 4, 5, 6 and 7.

more than once, the sciptures talk of christ withdrawing himself from the people to pray and meditate. sometimes it talks about how he sought solitude. as an example, luke 5:16 says, "and he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed."

this week, i will focus on the why and how of prayer, solitude and meditation.

brainstorm of why we should meditate
to inventory our life; to find where we lack and where we can improve
to think about the teachings of christ and how the apply to us
to renew our spirits and minds
to re-center; re-align our life to what matters most
to find a solution to a problem - any problem - family, work, personal
to express gratitude; to improve our happiness

how to seek solitude; how to enter earnest prayer and meditation
bishop burke peterson teaches how to pray in solitude

scriptures
luke 4:42
luke 5:16
luke 6:12