If you've been feeling a bit spiritually burnt out or just plain tired of the noise, looking at some examples of contemplative prayer might be just what you need to slow things down. Most of the time, when we think of prayer, we think of talking—asking for things, thanking God for dinner, or running through a mental checklist of people who need help. But contemplation is a whole different animal. It's less about talking and more about just being there. It's that comfortable silence you have with a best friend where you don't actually have to say anything to know you're connected.
Finding a rhythm that works for you can take a minute, especially since our brains are usually wired to be productive and "on" all the time. But the beauty of these practices is that they aren't meant to be another chore on your to-do list. They're more like a deep breath for your soul.
Starting with Centering Prayer
One of the most common examples of contemplative prayer you'll run into is centering prayer. It sounds fancy, but it's actually incredibly stripped-back. The whole point is to let go of the "monkey mind"—that constant stream of thoughts about groceries, emails, and that embarrassing thing you said in 2014—and just rest in God's presence.
To do this, you usually pick a "sacred word." This isn't a magic word; it's just a tool. Think of it like an anchor. If your mind starts to drift away (and it will, trust me), you gently use that word to pull yourself back. Common choices are "Peace," "Jesus," "Abba," or "Love."
You sit quietly, close your eyes, and just let yourself be. When you realize you're thinking about what to make for dinner, you don't get mad at yourself. You just mentally whisper your sacred word and go back to the stillness. It's a great way to train your heart to realize that God is there even when you aren't "doing" anything for Him.
Exploring Lectio Divina
If sitting in total silence feels a bit too daunting right now, Lectio Divina is a fantastic bridge. This is one of those classic examples of contemplative prayer that uses a small piece of scripture as a diving board. Instead of reading three chapters of the Bible to check off a reading plan, you take maybe two or three verses and just chew on them.
The process is usually broken down into four movements: 1. Read: Read the passage slowly. Listen for a word or phrase that sticks out to you. 2. Reflect: Think about why that word caught your attention. What's it saying to your life right now? 3. Respond: Talk to God about it. Just a raw, honest reaction. 4. Rest: This is the contemplative part. You stop talking, stop thinking, and just sit with the word.
It's like the difference between inhaling a fast-food burger in your car and sitting down for a five-course meal where you actually taste every bite. It turns the Bible from a textbook into a conversation.
The Simplicity of Breath Prayer
Sometimes, we don't have twenty minutes to sit on a floor cushion. That's where breath prayer comes in. Out of all the examples of contemplative prayer, this is probably the most practical for a busy life. It's exactly what it sounds like—pairing a short phrase with your natural breathing rhythm.
The most famous version of this is the "Jesus Prayer": Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God (inhale), have mercy on me (exhale). But you can make it your own. Maybe it's The Lord is my shepherd (inhale), I have all I need (exhale).
The cool thing about breath prayer is that you can do it anywhere. You can do it while you're stuck in traffic, while you're standing in line at the grocery store, or even when you're about to walk into a stressful meeting. It anchors your physical body to your spiritual reality. It's a constant reminder that God is as close as the air in your lungs.
The Daily Examen
Ignatius of Loyola came up with this one, and it's a total game-changer for people who feel like their days are just a blur of activity. The Examen is a way of looking back over your day to find where God was showing up, even in the mundane bits.
You usually do this at night before you go to bed. You walk through your day like a movie playing in your head. You look for the "consolations"—the moments where you felt a spark of joy, peace, or connection. Then you look for the "desolations"—the moments where you felt drained, angry, or distant.
It's a contemplative practice because it requires a quiet, observant heart. You aren't judging your day; you're just noticing it. It helps you realize that the "spiritual" stuff isn't just happening at church; it's happening while you're washing dishes or talking to your neighbor.
Nature and Walking Contemplation
We often think prayer has to happen with our eyes closed, but some of the best examples of contemplative prayer happen with our eyes wide open. Walking prayer is a great option for people who get "fidgety" when they try to sit still.
The idea isn't to power-walk for exercise. It's to walk slowly, noticing the sensation of your feet hitting the ground, the sound of the wind, or the way the light hits the trees. It's about being fully present in the world God made.
When you see something beautiful—a bright red leaf or a weirdly shaped cloud—you let it point you toward the Creator. You don't have to analyze it or take a picture for Instagram. You just notice it, appreciate it, and let that appreciation be your prayer. It's a very grounding way to connect with the divine through the physical world.
Using Art through Visio Divina
If Lectio Divina is "divine reading," then Visio Divina is "divine seeing." This is one of those examples of contemplative prayer that works wonders for visual people. Instead of using a text, you use a piece of art, a photograph, or even a stained-glass window.
You look at the image the same way you'd approach a verse of scripture. You let your eyes wander over the colors, the textures, and the subjects. You ask yourself what you're drawn to and why. Sometimes a painting can express something that words just can't quite capture. By sitting quietly with an image, you allow God to speak to your imagination. It's a much more relaxed, intuitive way to pray that moves the focus from your head to your heart.
Why Contemplation Matters
You might be wondering, what's the point of all this silence? Honestly, it's about intimacy. In any long-term relationship, you eventually move past the stage where you have to talk constantly to avoid awkwardness. You get to a place where you're just happy to be in the same room.
Contemplative prayer is about getting to that place with God. It moves us away from trying to control things with our words and moves us toward trusting God with our silence. It's not about being "perfect" at it. Some days your mind will be a total mess, and you'll spend the whole twenty minutes just trying to remember your sacred word. That's okay. The effort itself is the prayer.
The more you look into different examples of contemplative prayer, the more you'll realize there's no one "right" way to do it. The right way is the one that actually helps you show up and be present. Whether that's through a slow walk, a single word, or a deep breath, the goal is always the same: to stop running for a second and remember that you are loved, held, and never truly alone.
So, if you're feeling a bit overwhelmed, maybe just pick one of these today. Don't worry about doing it for an hour. Just give it five or ten minutes. You might be surprised at how much of a difference a little bit of intentional quiet can make in the middle of a loud world.