What is Christian Contemplative Prayer?
Christian contemplative prayer is a form of silent, receptive prayer in which the practitioner seeks direct communion with God beyond words, images, or intellectual concepts. St. Gregory the Great, at the end of the 6th century, defined contemplation as “knowledge of God that is impregnated with love,” seeing it as both the fruit of reflecting on the Word of God in scripture and a precious gift of God. Unlike vocal prayer, intercessory prayer, or meditative practices that engage thought and imagination, contemplative prayer involves the “prayer of quiet,” an apophatic form that does not employ words and involves a mindful and relinquishing disposition in the process of communing with God. It is not an achievement of human effort but a grace received in radical openness to the divine presence.
Origins & Lineage
Silent, imageless, contemplative prayer in the Christian tradition was practiced as early as the 3rd century by the Desert Mothers and Fathers—Christian hermits, ascetics, and monks who lived in the Egyptian desert. The Apostolic Fathers and Mothers in the 1st and 2nd centuries continued this contemplative tradition, referring to their meditative practice as “Prayer of the Heart.” These practices were handed down through figures such as Evagrius, St. Augustine, St. Gregory the Great in the West, and Pseudo-Dionysius and the Hesychasts in the East.
In the 14th-century, an anonymous monk wrote The Cloud of Unknowing, which conveys the fathomless mystery of God and that the Divine can only be glimpsed by loving presence—contemplation. The text teaches that God cannot be understood via reason or intellect, but only through love: “By love may He be gotten and holden, but never through thought.” Other influential contemplatives include John Cassian, Dame Julian of Norwich, St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross.
The Christian contemplative tradition, largely dormant for the last few centuries, has been reclaimed over the last 40 years or so and is primarily embodied in the practice of centering prayer. Centering Prayer was developed in the 1970s as a response to Roman Catholicism’s invitation to revive these early teachings. Three Trappist monks at St. Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts—Fathers William Meninger, Basil Pennington and Thomas Keating—are credited with developing the method of silent prayer. In 1984 Keating, along with Gustave Reininger and Edward Bednar, co-founded Contemplative Outreach, Ltd., an international and ecumenical spiritual network that teaches the practice of Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina.
How It’s Practiced
Contemporary Christian contemplative prayer most commonly takes the form of Centering Prayer, though other silent prayer methods exist. The practitioner chooses a sacred word—such as “God,” “Jesus,” “Love,” “Peace,” “Mercy”—as the symbol of one’s intention to consent to God’s presence and action within. Sitting comfortably with eyes closed, one settles briefly and silently introduces the sacred word; when engaged with thoughts, one returns ever-so-gently to the sacred word. “Thoughts” include body sensations, feelings, images, and reflections. The practice is not to stop thinking, but to release the thought when you notice you are engaged with it, using the sacred word as your anchor back to intention.
At the end of the prayer period, one remains in silence with eyes closed for a couple of minutes to help bring the atmosphere of silence into daily life. Twenty minutes, twice a day (morning and evening) is the recommended “dose” for transformation, but even 5–10 minutes is a beautiful start.
The practice differs from Ignatian contemplation, which uses imaginative engagement with Gospel scenes. Ignatian contemplation is by way of images. The Cloud’s contemplation is apophatic, i.e., the way of no images. It also differs from Lectio Divina, a prayer process involving four components first described by the twelfth-century Carthusian monk Guigo II: lectio, meditatio, oratio, and contemplatio. While Lectio Divina can lead to contemplation, the two practices serve complementary purposes within the Christian tradition.
Christian Contemplative Prayer Today
Contemporary seekers encounter Christian contemplative prayer through multiple channels. Contemplative Outreach, founded by Thomas Keating in 1984, maintains an international network offering workshops, retreats, and local practice groups. Some parishes have Centering Prayer groups that meet weekly. Retreat centers—both monastic and lay-led—offer silent retreats and instruction in contemplative methods. Teachers such as Cynthia Bourgeault, Richard Rohr, and the late Thomas Keating (1923–2018) have written extensively on the practice. Books such as Keating’s Open Mind, Open Heart, Bourgeault’s Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening, and modern translations of The Cloud of Unknowing provide accessible entry points.
During the 1960s, Western Christians had the opportunity to rediscover the tradition of mystical and contemplative prayer that had been lost during the preceding centuries. At this time many Christians traveled to the East to experience and learn contemplative prayer. Religious thinkers such as Thomas Merton, Thomas Keating, and the late Benedictine monk John Main traveled to the East, where they rediscovered the contemplative dimension of the Christian faith. This cross-pollination has led to renewed interest in Christianity’s own contemplative heritage.
Common Misconceptions
Christian contemplative prayer is not:
Empty meditation or “zoning out.” The aim of centering prayer is to still the mind and when the inevitable thoughts come to gently let them go. What makes the practice a prayer is that one’s intentions are to consent to the love, presence and action of God within throughout the meditative sit.
A technique for relaxation or stress relief. If you are attempting to use it for relaxation or mental calming, you should expect failure and frustration. As soon as thoughts are released, new ones rush in to fill the vacuum produced by silence.
A rejection of other forms of prayer. It is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer; rather it aims to cast a new light and depth of meaning on them by fostering direct contact with God.
Without controversy. The practice has critics within Christian traditions. Centering Prayer is not without controversy among Catholics, with some arguing the practice is inappropriate and deviates from mainstream views of prayer and God. Some critics argue that it resembles Eastern meditation too closely; proponents respond that it emerges directly from Christian sources and that the resemblance reflects universal human capacities for silence and presence.
How to Begin
Begin with 5–10 minutes of daily silent prayer, gradually extending to 20 minutes twice daily. Choose a simple sacred word that expresses your intention to rest in God’s presence. Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and gently return to your word whenever you notice yourself engaged with thoughts. Do not judge the quality of your practice by how “peaceful” it feels; the benefit often appears outside the prayer period itself.
Recommended resources:
- Books: Thomas Keating’s Open Mind, Open Heart; Cynthia Bourgeault’s Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening; modern translations of The Cloud of Unknowing
- Organizations: Contemplative Outreach (contemplativeoutreach.org) offers free resources, online groups, and retreat listings
- Practice communities: Seek local Centering Prayer groups through parishes, retreat centers, or the Contemplative Outreach chapter finder
- Companion practices: Lectio Divina (sacred reading of scripture) traditionally prepares the heart for contemplative prayer
Those new to silent prayer may also benefit from attending an introductory workshop or retreat where experienced practitioners can offer guidance and communal support.