It was one of those days. The roads were clogged with people. Going anywhere was difficult. It seemed like everyone had a crisis to be handled. Even meeting a with staff had to be cancelled. Having lunch was definitely out and prospects for dinner wer- slim. It was just one of those soul - wearying days.
One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. Luke 6:12 (NIV)
There are many situations where the Gospel writers show Jesus walking to deserted places to pray. He detached himself from the work of his ministry to refresh his spirit. This practice can be found in Christian traditions,
Christian meditation practices are documented from the end of the Christian persecutions (4th century C.E.) For the Desert Ammas and Abbas (Mothers and Fathers), mediation was a daily part of their life. On meditation, Amma Syncletica of Alexandria (c300-600 C.E.) said, "It is possible to be a solitary in one's mind while living in a crowd . . ." Isaac the Syrian wrote that we pray with words until the words are cut off and we are left is a state of wonder.
More contemporary Christian meditation (c1648) is practiced by the Society of Friends. Also known as Quakers, incorporated “still sitting” in communal worship.
So throughout. the centuries of Christian practice, followers have learned to take themselves out of “one of those days” for a time to “Be still and know.”
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be! TRUST JESUS NOW
Read more articles by Peg Gotthold or search for articles on the same topic or others.
