Evangelical Concerns about Contemplative Prayer

Addressing Objections, Building Bridges

Evangelical concerns about contemplative prayer often center on its perceived similarity to Eastern meditation, the practice of "emptying the mind," potential New Age influences, and departure from scriptural authority. These concerns deserve serious engagement. Many objections stem from genuine commitment to biblical Christianity and can be addressed through careful explanation of contemplative prayer's Christian roots, its differences from non-Christian practices, and its grounding in Scripture and church history.

Taking Concerns Seriously

If you're an evangelical Christian who has heard warnings about contemplative prayer, your caution is understandable. The evangelical instinct to test everything by Scripture (1 Thessalonians 5:21) and guard against false teaching is valuable. Some practices promoted under "contemplative" labels do deserve criticism.

At the same time, contemplative prayer has a long history in Christian tradition, predating the Reformation and extending back to the Desert Fathers, the medieval mystics, and even the New Testament itself. Many evangelicals have discovered this tradition not as a departure from biblical faith but as a deepening of it.

This article aims neither to dismiss evangelical concerns as mere ignorance nor to validate every objection as correct. Instead, we'll examine the most common concerns, offer thoughtful responses, and suggest safe ways for evangelicals to explore contemplative dimensions of prayer.

Common Concerns and Responses

Concern 1: "It's Eastern, Not Christian"

The worry: Contemplative prayer resembles Buddhist or Hindu meditation—sitting in silence, emptying the mind, focusing on breath. Isn't this Eastern mysticism in Christian clothing?

Response: While surface similarities exist (silence is valued in many traditions), the content and goal differ radically. Christian contemplation is:

Directed toward the personal God revealed in Jesus Christ
Dependent on grace, not technique
Aimed at loving union with God, not dissolution of self or enlightenment
Rooted in Scripture and church tradition, not Eastern philosophy

Moreover, Christian contemplative practice predates any Eastern influence on Western Christianity. The Desert Fathers developed their practices in 3rd-century Egypt without Buddhist input. John of the Cross never read a yoga sutra. The accusation of Eastern origin often confuses similarity with derivation.

Concern 2: "Emptying the Mind Is Dangerous"

The worry: Jesus warned about the demon who returns to find a house "empty, swept and put in order" (Matthew 12:44). Doesn't contemplative prayer "empty the mind," inviting demonic influence?

Response: Christian contemplation does not teach emptying the mind into a vacuum. Rather, it teaches:

Centering Prayer: Uses a "sacred word" to return attention to God—not emptiness but presence
The Jesus Prayer: Fills the mind with Christ's name—"Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me"
Lectio Divina: Rests in Scripture, not in void
Cloud of Unknowing: Teaches directing a "naked intent" toward God—intention, not vacancy

The goal is not emptiness but fullness—being filled with God's presence rather than our own thoughts. Matthew 12:44 warns against moral reformation without new life in Christ, not against quiet prayer.

Concern 3: "It's Unbiblical Experience-Seeking"

The worry: Scripture should be our authority, not subjective experiences. Doesn't contemplative prayer prioritize experience over the Word?

Response: The Bible itself invites experiential encounter with God:

"Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10)
"Taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8)
"Be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2)
Paul's prayer that believers would "know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge" (Ephesians 3:19)

Scripture is the norm for testing experience, but Scripture itself points beyond mere information to transforming encounter. Contemplative prayer does not replace Scripture; it often begins with Scripture (lectio divina) and remains accountable to Scripture. The goal is not experience for its own sake but deeper appropriation of what Scripture reveals.

Concern 4: "It's Catholic, Not Protestant"

The worry: Contemplative prayer comes from Catholic monasticism. Isn't this incompatible with Reformation principles?

Response: While contemplative prayer flourished in Catholic monasteries, it:

Predates the Catholic/Protestant split—going back to the early church
Has Protestant expressions—Quaker silence, Puritan meditation, Pietist mysticism (see Protestant Contemplation)
Can be practiced without adopting Catholic doctrines about Mary, saints, or papal authority
Focuses on Christ and grace—central Reformation concerns

The Reformers opposed certain abuses in late medieval piety (indulgences, works-righteousness, superstitious practices), not all forms of deep prayer. Luther himself valued medieval mystics like Tauler. One can appreciate contemplative tradition without abandoning Protestant convictions.

Concern 5: "It's New Age"

The worry: New Age spirituality uses meditation, visualization, and mystical language. Isn't contemplative prayer part of this dangerous movement?

Response: New Age spirituality did appropriate some contemplative language and practices, creating confusion. However:

Christian contemplative prayer predates New Age by 1,500+ years
New Age theology (pantheism, relativism, self-deification) contradicts Christian contemplative theology
The solution is not abandoning contemplation but reclaiming it from distortion
Discernment distinguishes authentic Christian practice from counterfeits

The existence of counterfeits doesn't invalidate the genuine. Evaluate any contemplative teaching by asking: Does it affirm the personal, triune God? Does it depend on Christ's work? Does it submit to Scripture? Does it produce the fruits of the Spirit? These tests expose New Age distortions.

Concern 6: "It Promotes Universalism"

The worry: Some contemplatives seem to blur distinctions between religions, suggesting all paths lead to God. Doesn't this undermine the uniqueness of Christ?

Response: Some modern writers have indeed blended contemplative practice with religious pluralism. This is a genuine danger to discern. However:

Classical Christian mystics (Teresa, John of the Cross, the Philokalia writers) were not universalists
Authentic Christian contemplation is Christocentric—oriented to Jesus as the Way, Truth, and Life
One can learn from the contemplative tradition while maintaining exclusive claims about Christ
Critiques of specific modern teachers don't invalidate the entire tradition

Choose teachers carefully. Stick with sources clearly grounded in orthodox Christianity. The tradition itself provides resources for this discernment—it has always emphasized spiritual direction, ecclesial accountability, and theological orthodoxy alongside contemplative practice.

Biblical Foundations for Contemplation

While the term "contemplative prayer" isn't in Scripture, the realities it describes are:

Jesus' Practice

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed" (Mark 1:35)
"After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray" (Matthew 14:23)
Jesus spent 40 days in the desert (Matthew 4:1-11)
He prayed all night before choosing the Twelve (Luke 6:12)

Jesus modeled extended times of solitary, silent prayer. If He needed this, how much more do we?

Psalms and Wisdom Literature

"Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10)
"My soul finds rest in God alone" (Psalm 62:1)
"I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother" (Psalm 131:2)
"In quietness and trust is your strength" (Isaiah 30:15)

Scripture values silence, stillness, and resting in God's presence—the very essence of contemplative prayer.

New Testament Themes

"Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17)—suggests prayer beyond formal, worded prayer
"The Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words" (Romans 8:26)—prayer beyond language
"That you may be filled with all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:19)—transforming divine indwelling
"Abide in me, and I in you" (John 15:4)—mutual indwelling with Christ

Mary of Bethany

Mary "sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said" while Martha was "distracted by all the preparations." Jesus said Mary had "chosen what is better" (Luke 10:38-42). This passage has long been read as affirming the contemplative disposition—receptive listening over anxious doing.

Evangelical Contemplatives

Contemplative practice is not foreign to evangelical heritage:

A. W. Tozer (1897-1963)

Christian & Missionary Alliance pastor deeply read in the Christian mystics. His books (The Pursuit of God, The Knowledge of the Holy) blend evangelical doctrine with contemplative longing for God's presence.

Dallas Willard (1935-2013)

Baptist philosopher whose books on spiritual formation introduced many evangelicals to contemplative practices while maintaining evangelical theological commitments.

Richard Foster (b. 1942)

Quaker author of Celebration of Discipline, which brought classical spiritual disciplines to evangelical attention. Founded Renovaré for balanced spiritual formation.

Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)

Puritan theologian of the Great Awakening whose "Personal Narrative" describes contemplative experiences of God's beauty and glory that rival any Catholic mystic.

These figures demonstrate that evangelical faith and contemplative depth are not mutually exclusive.

Safe Starting Points for Evangelicals

If you're interested in exploring contemplative prayer from an evangelical perspective, consider these relatively "safe" entry points:

1. Extended Scripture Meditation

Take a short passage of Scripture and dwell with it for an extended time—not studying, not applying, just letting the Word sink in. This is lectio divina's first movement. You're not emptying your mind but filling it with Scripture, then resting in God's presence through His Word.

2. Breath Prayers

Use a short phrase coordinated with breathing: "Lord Jesus" (inhale) "have mercy on me" (exhale). Or "Abba" (inhale) "Father" (exhale). This keeps the mind focused on Christ while introducing gentle rhythm. It's the Jesus Prayer in simplified form.

3. Silent Thanksgiving

After your regular prayer time, sit quietly for 5-10 minutes in wordless gratitude before God. You're not trying to achieve a state—just resting in awareness of His presence and your thankfulness. If thoughts arise, gently return to thanksgiving.

4. Psalm 131 Prayer

Pray Psalm 131 slowly, then sit in its spirit: "I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me." Rest as a child rests with a parent—not striving, just being present.

5. Dallas Willard's Approach

Read The Spirit of the Disciplines or Renovation of the Heart. Willard presents spiritual disciplines, including silence and solitude, within a thoroughly evangelical framework. He addresses potential objections and provides theological grounding.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I respond to my pastor who opposes contemplative prayer?

Respect his authority and concerns. Share specific resources that address objections from an evangelical perspective. Demonstrate the fruit in your life. Don't become divisive. If he remains opposed, you can practice quietly without making it a point of conflict. Unity in the body is valuable; contemplative prayer should produce peace, not division.

What about specific practices like Centering Prayer?

Centering Prayer (developed by Thomas Keating and others) has drawn evangelical criticism. Some concerns have merit; the language can be imprecise, and some practitioners have syncretistic tendencies. However, the method itself—using a sacred word to return attention to God—can be practiced within evangelical theology. Evaluate the specific teaching, not just the label. Read Keating critically but don't dismiss everyone who's ever sat in silence.

Won't I be deceived by false spiritual experiences?

Discernment is always needed in the spiritual life. Test experiences by: conformity to Scripture, the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), love for Christ and neighbor, ongoing submission to spiritual oversight. Don't trust every experience uncritically, but don't flee all experience either. John says to "test the spirits" (1 John 4:1), not to avoid the Spirit's work altogether.

Is there a danger of becoming too inward-focused?

Yes—this is a real danger in any spiritual practice, including Bible study. Authentic contemplation produces outward fruit: love, service, evangelism, justice. If your "contemplation" makes you withdrawn, elitist, or unconcerned for others, something is wrong. True encounter with God sends you out toward neighbor, not away from the world.

Can I be Reformed and contemplative?

Yes. Reformed theology emphasizes God's sovereignty—which contemplative prayer honors by resting in God's action rather than human effort. Union with Christ (unio cum Christo) is central to Calvin's soteriology—and this is exactly what contemplative prayer celebrates. You can maintain Reformed convictions about election, Scripture, and grace while also cultivating deep interior prayer.

Guidelines for Discernment

When evaluating any contemplative teaching or practice, ask:

Is Christ central? Does this practice orient you to Jesus as Lord and Savior, or does it offer a generic spirituality that could fit any religion?
Is Scripture honored? Does the teacher submit to biblical authority, or treat the Bible as one resource among many? Does the practice lead you into Scripture or away from it?
Is grace emphasized? Is this presented as something God does in you, or something you achieve through technique?
Is community valued? Does the teaching encourage accountability to the body of Christ, or promote spiritual individualism?
What are the fruits? In your life and in others who practice this, do you see the fruits of the Spirit or something else?
Is there ecclesial accountability? Does the teacher operate within Christian community, or as a lone spiritual entrepreneur?

These questions will help you discern between authentic Christian contemplation and counterfeits.

Comparative Perspectives — Hub for all comparative articles.
Protestant Contemplation — Contemplative traditions within Protestantism.
Charismatic and Contemplation — Integration of active and receptive spirituality.
Lectio Divina — Scripture-based prayer accessible to evangelicals.
Discernment in Prayer — Evaluating spiritual experiences and practices.
Contemplative Prayer for Beginners — Practical starting guide.