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Group Contemplative Practice

Praying Together in Stillness

Group contemplative practice brings the solitary discipline of contemplative prayer into community. Whether through shared Lectio Divina, Centering Prayer circles, or silent sitting together, group practice provides accountability, mutual support, and the unique grace of communal silence. Jesus promised: "Where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."

Why Practice Together?

Contemplative prayer seems inherently solitary—a private encounter with God in the depths of the heart. Why then practice with others?

  • Accountability. Knowing others are waiting makes you more likely to show up. Group commitment strengthens individual practice.
  • Shared silence is different. There is a quality to group silence that differs from solitary silence—a palpable sense of presence.
  • Mutual support. Hearing others' struggles normalizes your own. You're not alone in the difficulties of practice.
  • Protection from deception. Isolation is dangerous for contemplatives. Community provides reality-testing and discernment.
  • Different perspectives. In shared Lectio, others hear what you missed. God speaks through the community.
  • Witness. Your practice encourages others; theirs encourages you.
"We need one another to be truly human. We are called into community as a reflection of the Trinity itself."

Types of Group Contemplative Practice

Lectio Divina Groups

A facilitator guides the group through the traditional four movements: reading (lectio), reflection (meditatio), prayer (oratio), and contemplation (contemplatio). Participants share briefly after each movement. The passage is read aloud multiple times.

Duration: 45-75 minutes
Group size: 4-12 ideal
Best for: Those who appreciate Scripture and some verbal sharing

Centering Prayer Groups

The Contemplative Outreach model includes a brief reading, a period of Centering Prayer (typically 20-30 minutes), and optional sharing or teaching. Some groups add a second sit. Simple format, deep practice.

Duration: 60-90 minutes
Group size: Any, but 6-15 works well
Best for: Those committed to Centering Prayer specifically

Silent Group Meditation

Simple sitting together in silence—no formal method prescribed. May begin with a prayer or reading and end with a brief closing. Minimal structure, maximum freedom.

Duration: Variable (30-60 minutes sitting)
Group size: Any
Best for: Mixed traditions; those who want no method imposed

Taizé-Style Prayer

Simple, repetitive chants interspersed with silence. The chanting leads naturally into contemplative stillness. Candlelight, icons, and beauty create an atmosphere of prayer.

Duration: 45-90 minutes
Group size: Works at any scale
Best for: Those who appreciate music and sensory beauty

Julian Meetings

Named after Julian of Norwich, these ecumenical contemplative prayer groups follow a simple pattern: short reading, 20-30 minutes of silent prayer, closing. Widespread in the UK.

Duration: 60 minutes typical
Group size: Any
Best for: Ecumenical settings; simple format

Prayer and Sharing Groups

Combines contemplative silence with more substantial sharing about the spiritual life. Members may share experiences, struggles, and insights from their practice. Requires greater trust and commitment.

Duration: 90-120 minutes
Group size: 4-8
Best for: Established groups with high trust

How to Start a Contemplative Prayer Group

1. Clarify the Format

Decide what type of group you're forming. Lectio Divina? Centering Prayer? General silent prayer? Having a clear identity helps attract the right people and prevents confusion.

2. Find Your Core

Start with 2-3 committed people rather than trying to gather a crowd. A small committed core is better than a large lukewarm group. Grow organically from there.

3. Choose Time and Place

Consistency matters. Same time, same place, every week (or every other week). Consider: homes, church spaces, retreat centers. The space should be quiet and comfortable.

4. Establish Guidelines

Create simple norms: Confidentiality. No cross-talk (responding to others' sharing). Phones off. Arrive on time. Share briefly. Listen with love. These protect the sacred space.

5. Keep It Simple

Don't over-program. The center is silence, not content. Resist the urge to add more readings, more sharing, more teaching. Less is more.

6. Be Patient

Building a group takes time. Some will come and go. The faithful remnant is what matters. Trust the process. God builds the community.

Facilitating Contemplative Groups

Facilitation of contemplative groups differs from leading discussion or teaching:

  • Hold the space. Your primary job is to create and protect the container of silence. This is less about "leading" and more about serving.
  • Model contemplative presence. Your own stillness sets the tone. If you're anxious, the group will feel it.
  • Keep time gently. Signal beginnings and endings with soft sounds—a bell, a gentle word—rather than jarring interruptions.
  • Limit your own sharing. The facilitator speaks less, not more. Leave space for others.
  • Handle problems privately. If someone disrupts, address it one-on-one after the meeting, not publicly.
  • Rotate if appropriate. Some groups rotate facilitation. This shares responsibility and develops multiple leaders.
  • Deepen your own practice. You cannot give what you do not have. Your personal contemplative life is the foundation.

Sample Group Formats

60-Minute Lectio Divina Group

  1. Welcome and opening prayer (3 min)
  2. First reading of passage; share a word or phrase (10 min)
  3. Second reading; share what the passage says to you (10 min)
  4. Third reading; share your response/prayer (10 min)
  5. Silent contemplation (10-15 min)
  6. Closing prayer (2-3 min)

75-Minute Centering Prayer Group

  1. Gather, brief welcome (5 min)
  2. Short spiritual reading (3-5 min)
  3. First period of Centering Prayer (20 min)
  4. Brief stretch break (2 min)
  5. Second period of Centering Prayer (20 min)
  6. Optional sharing or teaching (15 min)
  7. Closing prayer (2-3 min)

45-Minute Simple Silence Group

  1. Opening prayer or psalm (3 min)
  2. Brief reading (optional) (2 min)
  3. Silent prayer (30 min)
  4. Closing prayer (Lord's Prayer or similar) (2-3 min)
  5. Fellowship (optional, after formal close)

Common Challenges and Solutions

Irregular Attendance

Challenge: People come sporadically, disrupting continuity.
Solution: Ask for minimum commitment (e.g., 3 of 4 meetings per month). Build in flexibility but establish expectations.

One Person Dominates Sharing

Challenge: Someone talks too long or too often.
Solution: Establish time limits ("share in a sentence or two"). The facilitator models brevity. If necessary, speak privately with the individual.

The Group Becomes a Discussion Group

Challenge: Sharing expands until silence shrinks.
Solution: Protect the silence ruthlessly. Remind the group of its purpose. Keep reading and sharing brief.

Conflict or Tension

Challenge: Personality conflicts or theological disagreements arise.
Solution: Establish that the group is for prayer, not debate. Address conflicts privately. If necessary, help someone find a different group.

Group Stagnation

Challenge: The group becomes routine, flat, uninspiring.
Solution: Consider a group retreat, a teaching session, or a new practice. Sometimes the group has simply run its course—discern together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a group include people from different traditions?

Yes. Many successful contemplative groups are ecumenical. The silence unites. However, clarity about what you're doing (not starting theological debates) is essential. Focus on the practice, not on differences.

What about virtual/online groups?

Online groups became common during the pandemic and continue. They work surprisingly well—video on, muted, praying together across distances. Not identical to in-person, but valuable. Some groups are hybrid.

How do I find an existing group?

Check with local churches, retreat centers, or contemplative communities. Contemplative Outreach maintains a directory of Centering Prayer groups. Julian Meetings has a network. Or ask at a spiritual direction center.

Should we have a spiritual director for the group?

Helpful but not essential. A group can be peer-led. However, having a trained facilitator or periodic input from a director strengthens the group. The facilitator should have their own spiritual direction.

What if the group is very small (2-3 people)?

Small is fine! "Where two or three gather..." Intimacy is a gift. Some of the deepest groups are small. Don't feel you've failed if the group stays small—quality matters more than quantity.

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