As we continue our exploration of spiritual practices, we turn our attention to meditation, specifically meditating on the names of God for the month of July.
Distractions. Our lives are filled with them. We try to check the weather and we’re bombarded with news stories filled with doom and gloom, ads selling us everything from clothing to gadgets to whatever you last searched on Google. We sit down to read Scripture and pray and we are overloaded with undone chores, tasks, what we’re having for dinner, and the schedule for the week. We even sit down at the table to share a meal with family and friends and cannot disconnect from our digital lives for two seconds. We are a distracted people. Yet something in us yearns for peace, for focus, for centeredness.
Meditation as a spiritual practice works to combat such distractions by training our minds to be still and singularly focused. Put simply, Christian meditation is slowing down and giving God our undivided, wholehearted attention. In meditation we set aside distractions by focusing our minds and hearts on God and the things of God. Thus rather than seeking to be empty, we seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit as we tarry in God’s presence. We can practice meditation in a myriad of ways. We can focus on a passage of Scripture or an attribute of God, go on a walk and connect with God through creation, and listen to worship music and draw, paint, or color as we meditate in his presence. This month we are going to slow down and train our minds to be still through meditating on the names of God.
The Practice: Meditating on the Names of God
From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture is filled with names for God. Each name or title for God reveals to us something about God. Over the course of this month, we are going to meditate on several names for God. Below is a short list of names for God. This list is certainly not exhaustive or complete, but covers names found in both the Old and New Testaments.
- El Roi- the God who sees me (Genesis 16:13-14)
- I AM (Exodus 3:13-15)
- El Shaddai- God Almighty (Genesis 17:1)
- El-Olam: Everlasting God (Genesis 21:33)
- Creator (Isaiah 40:26-28)
- Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:9-10)
- Emmanuel- God with us (Matthew 1:22-23)
- The Word (John 1:1-5)
- Good Shepherd (John 10:11)
- The Vine (John 15:5)
- The Way (John 14:6)
- Father (1 John 3:1)
- The Lamb (Revelation 5:12-13)
Once a week for this month, slow down, breathe deeply, pray a breath prayer such as “God, I focus my attention on you.” As you settle into God’s presence, slowly read over the list of God’s names. As you read, notice which name draws your attention or tugs on your heart. Choose that name. Read the Scripture listed. Breathe deeply, and repeat the name several times. What do you sense about God through this name? Talk with God about this.
Continue to meditate on this name of God over the next few days. Continue to contemplate what this name means. Use it as you pray. Look up other passages of Scripture associated with this name. Then repeat this practice with a different name each week this month.
May we encounter God intimately as we contemplate his Beautiful Name this month.
