Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life
Episode: Word: Teach Us To Pray
Release Date: February 17, 2025
Host/Author: Tim Keller

Introduction

In the episode titled "Word: Teach Us To Pray," Tim Keller delves deep into the profound relationship between meditation on God's Word and authentic prayer. Drawing from Psalm 1 and various theological insights, Keller elucidates how meditation serves as the foundational bridge to a meaningful and transformative prayer life. This summary captures the essence of Keller's sermon, highlighting key discussions, insights, and practical applications for listeners seeking to deepen their spiritual practices.

The Foundation of Prayer: Meditation on Scripture

[00:03]
Keller opens by emphasizing the transformative power of love and passion, stating, "What we love shapes who we are. So if we want to change, we have to start by changing what we love." He introduces the central theme: consistent and faithful prayer as a means to realign our loves towards God.

[00:35]
A recitation of Psalm 1 sets the stage, contrasting the righteous who delight in the law of the Lord with the wicked who are likened to chaff blown away by the wind. This scripture underscores the blessings of meditating on God's Word.

Defining Meditation: Richard Baxter's Perspective

[01:28]
Keller begins his exposition by distinguishing between meditation and study. He references Richard Baxter, a 17th-century British writer, who defines meditation as:

"Meditation is distinguished from the study of God's Word in which our aim is to learn the truth. But meditation is the affecting of our own hearts and minds to love, delight, and humility for the things contained in the word."
—Richard Baxter

Keller clarifies, "Meditation is not the same as studying the Bible because studying the Bible you're just learning the truth of it. You're just learning information. What meditation does is it takes what you've learned and does something with it."

The Priority of Meditation

Keller asserts that meditation precedes prayer. He argues that without meditating on God's Word, prayer becomes a one-sided "flare shot into the air," lacking genuine dialogue. He references Eugene Peterson, who states:

"Essential to the practice of prayer is to fully realize that the first word is always God's word. There is a massive previousness of God's speech to our prayers."
—Eugene Peterson

This highlights that authentic prayer involves both speaking and listening, with meditation serving as the listening component.

The Promise of Meditation: Blessedness and Fulfillment

Psalm 1 begins with the declaration:

"Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked... but whose delight is in the law of the Lord and who meditates on his law day and night."
—Psalm 1:1-2

Keller interprets "blessed" not merely as happiness but as deep satisfaction and fulfillment. He emphasizes that meditation on the entirety of Scripture—not just selective parts—is the key to this blessedness.

The Fruits of Meditation: Stability and Growth

Drawing from Psalm 1, Keller uses the metaphor of a tree planted by streams of water, which remains steadfast and fruitful regardless of circumstances. He explains:

"A meditating person is someone who is not controlled by circumstances that stays stable and grows. Because even when things are bad, your roots are in the water. Your roots are in the strength. Your roots are in the vitality."
—Tim Keller [19:32]

This metaphor illustrates how meditation anchors believers, enabling them to thrive spiritually even amidst life's challenges.

Practical Steps for Meditation

Keller outlines three components essential for effective meditation:

1. The Object of Meditation:

   • Scripture is the primary object. Keller stresses the importance of meditating on the "law of the Lord," encompassing the entire Bible, rather than just individual passages or comforting sections.

2. The Means of Meditation:

   • Thinking Out, Thinking In, and Thinking Up.
     • Thinking Out: Delving into the implications and various aspects of the Scripture.
     • Thinking In: Internalizing and reflecting upon the Scripture within oneself.
     • Thinking Up: Formulating prayers based on meditation, encompassing Rejoice, Repent, Request as outlined in Martin Luther's "A Simple Way to Pray."

3. The Method of Meditation:

   • Deliberate and Disciplined Practice.
     • Keller shares a personal anecdote from 1971, illustrating the challenge of committing time to meditate deeply on a single verse. He underscores that true meditation requires consistent and intentional effort.

The Problem with the Law and the Solution in Christ

Keller addresses a common challenge: meditating on the law of God can lead to feelings of despair due to the revelation of personal sinfulness. He references his own experience where a preacher highlighted that delighting in the law of God is essential but seemingly impossible without contradiction. Keller counters this by pointing to Jesus Christ's example:

"Jesus did not come just to delight in the law of God as an example that would just crush us. But as our Savior, when he went to the cross, he was honoring the law of God."
—Tim Keller

Through Christ's fulfillment of the law, believers can meditate on Scripture without falling into despair. Instead, the law becomes a means to:

• Pleasing God: Aligning one's life to honor Him.
• Experiencing Grace: Understanding that Jesus's sacrifice covers personal failings.
• Cultivating Love: Loving God and others as a response to His commandments.

Conclusion: Moving to a Deeper Relationship with God

Keller wraps up by reinforcing the interconnectedness of meditation and prayer, advocating for a disciplined approach to engaging with Scripture. He imparts a final prayer, emphasizing the desire to transition into a more profound relationship with God through meditation and dialogue.

"We pray, oh Lord, we pray that we all, hearing this now, would move into that kind of relationship, that our relationship would move into a higher level and we would become more and more like your son whose name we pray. Amen."
—Tim Keller [38:41]

Key Takeaways

• Meditation as the Gateway to Prayer: Authentic prayer requires a foundation built upon meditating on God's Word.
• Comprehensive Engagement with Scripture: Embracing the entire Bible as authoritative enhances personal growth and spiritual stability.
• Practical Discipline: Consistent and intentional meditation practices lead to deeper intimacy with God.
• Christ-Centered Fulfillment: Jesus's life exemplifies how to delight in the law of God, transforming meditation from a source of despair to one of joy and fulfillment.

This episode of the Gospel in Life Podcast offers a profound exploration of how meditating on Scripture is not merely a ritualistic practice but the very essence of engaging in a meaningful relationship with God. Tim Keller's insights provide both theological depth and practical guidance, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to enhance their prayer life through deeper connection with the Word.