Luther's Guide to Scripture Meditation
When Martin Luther was asked by his barber for some practical help on how to compose himself for prayer, Luther shared this advice. More than being a guide to prayer, it leads us in reading Scripture in a way that leads to prayerful response. Meditating on Scripture forms us as we invite it to do its work in us. This is a classic approach toward change and growth.
1. Preparation. I set apart at least 15 minutes every day in a quiet place, preferably in the morning.
2. Reading of Scripture. I read the lesson for the day. Today it is John 3. Before I read I ask God to illuminate my mind and heart and to bend my will to his will.
3. Choice of short portion. Having carefully read the whole lesson, I choose a significant paragraph or verse from the whole. My choice is the much-quoted verse 16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” I read this verse 3 or 4 times slowly, deliberately, and reverently, believing that in and through it the Lord Jesus will speak to me by his Spirit.
4. Questions to ask of the text. To help uncover its meaning for me, I ask a series of basic questions (who, what, where, and why). Looking at Jon 3:16, I ask: Who has loved the world? What does it meant hat he gave his one and only Son? Where did the divine giving take place? Why do people of the world need eternal life? Why am I to believe in God’s one and only Son?
5. Recollection. In the process of answering these questions, I recall from memory all that I have been taught in creed and catechism, sermon and liturgy, hymn and prayer, Old and New Testaments, which provides information to answer these questions. I do not allow my mind to wander all over the globe of possibilities; I seek to concentrate on the questions.
6. Consideration. I carefully consider what teaching I am receiving from God as I take the meaning of John 3:16 into my heart and mind. Whether it is a word of encouragement or chastisement, comfort, or command, I seek to consider it carefully and reverently.
7. Self-examination. Because the written Word of God is a word to me through the operation of the Spirit of the Lord Jesus, my consideration of the text includes self-examination. Do I really appreciate how much God loves the human race? Am I truly aware of the cost to God himself of sending his one and only Son to live and die for me? Am I truly and firmly believing the good news concerning Jesus, the one and only Son? Have I received the gift of eternal life? Do I seek to make the gospel known to others? And so forth.
8. Prayer and communion with God. Since my heart is now warmed and inspired by the love of God and since my mind is illuminated by the truth of the gospel, I can begin to pray—to love and adore God, to thank and praise him, to confess my sins to him, and to offer petitions and intercession to him in the name of Jesus.
Originally published as A Simple Way to Pray, this version is excerpted from the book From Mind to Heart–Christian Meditation Today by Peter Toon (1987 Baker Books).
Drawing Near course
Richard Baxter on contemplating Scripture
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