The Difference Between Meditation and Prayer

What is the difference between meditation and prayer?

The best answer to this question that I can give is "It depends"….

Meditation and prayer mean such different things to different people. I obviously can't tell you all about everyone else's ideas so I'll give you mine!

In my mind I don't really separate the two except in some cases…..

Occasionally I will listen to a pre-recorded guided meditation. I find it relaxing most of the time – the rest of the time I rip my earphones off about halfway through and get on with my day! I probably couldn't be a monk!

Anyway I don't really consider that type of meditation prayer. It's just a tool to relax and still the mind and body. One could look at it as preparation for prayer.

The sort of meditation that I equate with prayer is when I still myself and sit in God's presence holding a thought or question or situation or scripture in my mind. I may use a pre-recorded meditation first or have music softly playing in the background – without earphones. I don't get into any formal form of prayer but what I call the spirit of prayer – a state of stillness and openness before God.

This pretty much explains what prayer is for me too.

I've tried the old "Our Father who art in heaven…." method of initiating prayer or communication with God but it seems an odd way to address someone you spend all your life with – one who dwells within.

Obviously there's nothing wrong with it if it works. I just don't use it.

Over the years prayer has become less and less formal, more real and more of a sharing, two way sort of experience. I find it much more rewarding and it doesn't fee like I'm putting on some sort of righteousness or pretense just to pray to God.

The key is to do what works for you when it comes to communicating with God.

Meditation and prayer may mean two very different things to you and that's fine. Meditation can have some very negative connotations in Christian circles.

Personally I think there's nothing wrong with meditation. If your efforts in traditional prayer aren't bearing fruit or bringing you the results you desire – it's time to experiment and change your prayer life up a bit.

For instance you can download a guided meditation from the Internet (There are all kinds available – trust your inner guidance and pick one.) Try it out. It may help you become more still and quiet and allow you to have a much richer prayer experience with God.

And that my friend is what we're after!

Related Blogs

• McLaren's New Kind of Christianity (6) – That Incompetent, Subtle Conspiracy « A Broken Loaf and a Little Wine
• religious self-hatred « ninetysix and ten
• gallery D » Lessons on Love
• Predestination? Yes? No? « Halseaglesnest's Weblog
• Contemporary Christian Music: The Real Deal in Quallity & Passion | Music Blog
• Concentration and Communicating with God
• The Way of The Cross « Communicating With God
• Ad Dominum » Blog Archive » Lenten prayer
• The American Spectator : Casting As Persians
• ~God Was There~ » Katie Bee Creative
• Prayer: Our Effective Means of Communicating With God « LoveWorld Internet Radio
• Colorful LEGO Earphones | Gadgets | Geniusbeauty.com – Web Magazine for Smart and Beautiful Women
• q-JAYS Dual Micro Armatures Sound Isolating Earphones — Audiophilia
• A Short Insight on the Ultimate Ears SuperFi 5 Earphones | Shopoo
• A Quick Writeup on the Ultimate Ears MetroFi 220 Earphones
• A Quick Review of the Ultimate Ears SuperFi 5 Earphones | Administer Page
• Shinka Guided Meditation And Brain-Wave Entrainment System. | Yoga Nidra Yoga
• http://www.askastro.com — Using a Guided Meditation To Feel Better
• Guided Meditation Explanation | Articles 
• Healing, Meditation and You | Self Improvement – Top Source