Christian meditation: putting yourself in God's presence

How do I start a Christian meditation session? The object and purpose of Christian meditation is God. Whatever form our time of meditation  takes (meditating on the bible or silent prayer), it's important to begin it, like any time of prayer, by turning inward to God. Here are a few tips to help us introduce ourselves to God and begin meditation

Embody this entry into prayer with a word or gesture

This time offered to God is like a space we dedicate to him at the heart of our day. In the same way that entering a temple or church is symbolized by passing through the door, which makes us aware of the withdrawal we are making and the fact that we are entering a consecrated space, we can mark this entry with a word or a gesture. a consecrated space, we can mark this "passage" between the day's activities and the moment when we wish to make ourselves totally available to God.

• We can do this by making a sign of the cross, taking the time to do so gently, in full awareness naming the three persons of the Trinity.
• We can alsolight a candle to represent the light of Christ and our prayers to the Lord.
• We can also choose to embody our openness to God's presence, our availability and our listening by holding our hands open, palms facing heaven. Or we may prefer to mark this time of recollection and interiority by holding our hands together.
• Another way of introducing ourselves to God is through words, such as "Here I am Lord" from the Bible, or any other words that express our desire to spend this time with God.

Turning to God, present here and now

Saint Augustine wrote: "Late have I loved You, Ancient Beauty and so new; late have I loved You. You were inside me, and I was outside  " 
Becoming aware that God is there, waiting for us, is not always easy. It's a good idea to give ourselves the time we need, which can be as little as a few minutes.

To help us do this, we can gently repeat God's name: "Abba Père" or "Jesus". This repetition helps us to turn our attention to God, to welcome his presence. We can also invoke the Holy Spirit by repeating, for example, "Come Holy Spirit" or "Come Spirit of God".

Looking at a cross or a holy image can also help us refocus on God. It can also be by visualizing a scene from a Gospel, imagining Jesus sitting next to us.

Maybe we'll feel that presence, maybe not. There will also be days when it's harder for us to open up to that presence. That's not the most important thing. All we have to do is believe that God is there, and let him know that we want to be with him. His grace will do the rest!

(If this step seems difficult, taking the time to [guide-link id=4985 text="an anchoring and receptivity exercise" lang=en] can be a real help).

Laying down our worries

Making ourselves fully available to God is not easy if our heads are cluttered with thoughts and worries. We can't chase them away all at once, or tie them up in a corner of our mind. The best way to prevent them from becoming ruminations  that disrupt this time of meditation is to entrust them to God.
Let's present to God, if we feel the need, whatever is occupying our minds at the moment: frustrations, excitements, angers, anxieties. Let's take the time towelcome the emotions this generates in us, to formulate these thoughts in our own words and, with confidence, place them before God. He'll know how to deal with them, and we'll be able to live this moment with him, with a freer mind.