I mean do you go deep in prayer? I have been wondering about this for a little while because on all Saints Day I was listening to a Catholic talk radio station and heard about a Nun that lived in the 1500's. She had a publication or book called The Interior Castle by St Teresa of Avila. you can download a free PDF of her book plus there's other ways to buy it. Yeah I'm a bit of nerd for this kind of thing LOL Spurgen, Luther, Sinners in the hands of an angry God etc. In her book she describes levels of prayer taking the soul deeper and deeper near to the Spirit.
As I read her rather artful descriptions and opinions on this subject I find it makes sense and I see where I've been stopped or hung up in my communication with the Lord in prayer. But when I was growing up in a Lutheran church they said not to meditate because of the spiritual danger. When I read the Gospels I see Jesus would sometimes pray all night long, I don't think that was 6-7 hours of small talk with God. Other parts of scripture might say "deep in prayer".
It seems the modern definition of meditating lends itself to Buddhism or maybe a new age mix of Christianity. If different religions mention meditation can any one religion lay claim to meditation? Is prayer just prayer or is prayer actually meditation. Or does good prayer lead to meditation which is actually prayer anyways.
For background I consider myself a born again Christian and go to an Evangelical Free Church (a bible church). My prayer life could be better and goes up and down in frequency.