The following material is from “A Year With God,” by Dr Richard Foster
“So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” —Colossians 3:1-2
For the next ten days, we will try to set our minds on the things that are above, practicing clearing out from our minds the noise of daily life and focusing on hearing God’s voice. Try to find a place that is as quiet and free of distractions as possible. Choose a comfortable position. Many prefer sitting on the floor or in a chair with feet flat on the ground. The idea is to be in a position comfortable enough that it requires no thought. You can close your eyes, or keep them open and focused on a religious item, perhaps a cross, or a tree or some other image from nature.
You might want to pick a word or phrase to keep your mind focused on God if you find yourself distracted by thoughts about work, household tasks, family, or a noise outside. “Jesus” or “Abba” is a good word to use. At first, you may find that your mind shoots out all kind of information at you, like a computer shutting down. Just try to relax as you work through this stage; keep repeating your word. Spiritual writer Madame Guyon writes: “Be assured that as your soul becomes more accustomed to withdrawing to inward things, this process will become easier. There are two reasons that you will find it easier each time to bring your mind under the subjection of the Lord. One is that the mind, after much practice, will form a new habit of turning deep within. The second is that you have a gracious Lord!”9
If you have not tried meditative prayer before, then start with five minutes or less. You can gradually work up to longer. You may find that God leads you to practical insights about your family or your life or events that have happened in your past or perhaps direct insights about God, his nature, and your relationship to him. The experience of meditative prayer is different for everyone. Many find it extremely helpful to keep a journal detailing their experiences and insights.
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