Starting a Contemplative Prayer Group

A practical guide to forming and sustaining local contemplative community

A contemplative prayer group is a small community that gathers regularly for shared silent prayer. Groups typically meet weekly for 60-90 minutes, combining teaching, shared practice, and fellowship. These communities provide support, accountability, and deepening for individual contemplative practice.

Why Start a Prayer Group?

Contemplative prayer is deeply personal, yet it thrives in community. While we pray in solitude, we need others who understand the journey, can encourage us through dry periods, and share the joy of growth. A prayer group provides what individual practice alone cannot.

What Groups Provide

Accountability - Regular meeting times create structure for practice
Encouragement - Others who understand when prayer feels difficult
Teaching - Shared learning about contemplative tradition
Deeper prayer - Praying together often deepens individual practice
Community - Belonging with others on the same path
Witness - Showing others that contemplative practice is possible

Before You Begin

Personal Preparation

Before starting a group, ensure your own practice is established. You don't need to be an expert, but you should have:

At least 6-12 months of regular contemplative practice
Some formation in the tradition you'll be sharing (retreat, course, reading)
Ideally, experience in a spiritual direction relationship
Connection with your local church (pastor's blessing or support)
Humility about your role - you're facilitating, not teaching authoritatively
Realistic expectations - growth takes time

Discerning the Call

Questions to Ponder

Is God calling me to this, or is it my own enthusiasm?
Do I have the time and energy to sustain this over months and years?
Am I willing to lead without being the center of attention?
Can I hold space for others' experiences different from my own?
Do I have support (spouse, pastor, spiritual director) for this ministry?
Is there genuine interest from potential members, or am I pushing?

Choosing a Format

Common Group Types

Centering Prayer Group

Follows Contemplative Outreach format. Two 20-minute sits with Lectio Divina between. Well-established resources and support structure.

Best for: Those drawn to Thomas Keating's teaching; seeking organizational support

Christian Meditation Group (WCCM)

Follows World Community for Christian Meditation format. Usually one 25-30 minute meditation with teaching. International network and resources.

Best for: Those drawn to John Main's mantra-based approach; ecumenical contexts

Lectio Divina Group

Focuses on prayerful Scripture reading. Members share fruits of lectio in structured format. Less emphasis on extended silence.

Best for: Those newer to contemplation; Scripture-focused communities

Liturgy of the Hours Group

Prays one or more offices together. Combines psalmody, readings, and silence. Connects to the wider Church's prayer.

Best for: Those wanting liturgical structure; Catholic/Anglican/Orthodox contexts

Taize Prayer

Repetitive chant, Scripture, and extended silence. Candle-lit, contemplative atmosphere. Appeals to many across traditions.

Best for: Ecumenical groups; those drawn to music and atmosphere

General Contemplative Prayer Group

Flexible format drawing from multiple traditions. May include teaching, various prayer methods, and discussion. Allows adaptation to the group.

Best for: Mixed backgrounds; groups exploring contemplation together

Practical Considerations

Location

Church Space

Chapel, prayer room, or quiet meeting room
Connects group to parish community
Usually free or low cost
Requires pastor/vestry permission
May have scheduling constraints

Private Homes

More intimate atmosphere
Flexible scheduling
May rotate among members
Needs quiet, interruption-free space
Hosting burden falls on homeowner

Space Requirements

Quiet - minimal traffic, phone, and noise interruption
Comfortable seating - chairs or cushions for 30+ minute sits
Adequate lighting - can be dimmed but not dark
Temperature control - not too hot or cold
Simple focal point - candle, icon, or cross
Accessible - consider mobility needs

Time and Frequency

Weekly - The standard frequency. Builds rhythm and community
60-90 minutes - Enough for gathering, prayer, and fellowship
Consistent time - Same day and time each week builds habit
Morning, noon, or evening - Consider members' schedules
Avoid holidays - Decide in advance how to handle breaks

Group Size

Minimum: 3-4 people - Enough to sustain if someone is absent
Ideal: 6-12 people - Large enough for community, small enough for intimacy
Maximum: 15-20 - Beyond this, consider splitting into two groups
Start small - Begin with committed core; growth will come

Sample Meeting Formats

Centering Prayer Format (90 minutes)

Gathering (5 min) - Informal welcome, settle into silence
Opening prayer (2 min) - Brief prayer to begin
First sit (20 min) - Centering Prayer period
Lectio Divina (20 min) - Scripture reading with sharing
Second sit (20 min) - Centering Prayer period
Closing prayer (3 min) - Brief prayer or reading
Fellowship (20 min) - Social time, refreshments

General Contemplative Format (75 minutes)

Arrival and settling (5 min) - Transition to quiet
Opening (5 min) - Brief Scripture, prayer, or reading
Teaching/reflection (15 min) - Reading from spiritual classic or brief teaching
Silent prayer (25-30 min) - Main prayer period
Closing (5 min) - Prayer, announcements
Fellowship (15 min) - Optional social time

Lectio Divina Format (60 minutes)

Gathering silence (5 min) - Settling, opening prayer
First reading (5 min) - Scripture read aloud, 2 min silence
Sharing (10 min) - Word or phrase that struck each person
Second reading (5 min) - Same passage, 2 min silence
Sharing (10 min) - How the text speaks to your life
Third reading (5 min) - Same passage, 3 min silence
Prayer (10 min) - Spontaneous or silent prayer
Closing (5 min) - Brief prayer, Our Father

Finding and Inviting Members

Where to Look

Your parish - Bulletin announcements, adult education connections
Retreat attendees - Those who've made contemplative retreats
Spiritual direction clients - With director's permission
Area churches - Ecumenical possibilities
Personal invitation - The most effective method
Existing prayer groups - May want to deepen into contemplative practice

How to Invite

Personal approach - One-on-one invitation is most effective
Clear description - Explain what contemplative prayer is and isn't
Low pressure - Invite without demanding commitment
Trial period - Offer a few sessions to try before committing
Address concerns - Some may worry about Eastern meditation connections
Emphasize Christian roots - Ground in Scripture and tradition

Quality Over Quantity

It's better to start with 3-4 committed people than 12 curious ones. Look for those who already have some prayer practice and genuine desire to deepen. Enthusiasm alone isn't enough - contemplative practice requires sustained commitment. Let the group grow naturally rather than pushing for numbers.

Leadership Principles

The Facilitator's Role

You Are

A fellow pilgrim, not an expert
A facilitator creating space for God
A timekeeper and organizer
A welcomer of newcomers
One who holds the tradition gently
A servant of the group's prayer

You Are Not

A guru or spiritual authority
A therapist or counselor
The one with all the answers
Responsible for members' spiritual growth
The center of attention
Immune to growth and learning

Practical Leadership Tasks

Arrive early to prepare the space
Begin and end on time
Ring bells or keep time for prayer periods
Select readings or materials for teaching times
Welcome newcomers and explain the format
Handle logistics (schedule, communication, materials)
Gently redirect if discussions go off track
Check in with members periodically
Connect members with resources (books, retreats, directors)

Shared Leadership

Avoid becoming indispensable. Healthy groups distribute responsibility:

Rotate facilitation once members are comfortable
Share hosting responsibilities if meeting in homes
Let members choose readings or lead teaching times
Develop a core team rather than a single leader
Plan for your occasional absence - the group should continue

Common Challenges

The Talker

One person dominates sharing time or fellowship.

Response: Establish clear guidelines (e.g., "One or two sentences per person"). Gently redirect: "Let's hear from someone who hasn't shared yet." Speak privately if persistent.

The Newcomer Flood

Many curious visitors who don't commit, disrupting group stability.

Response: Offer separate introductory sessions. Require a conversation before joining the ongoing group. Some groups close to new members for periods.

Theological Disagreements

Members from different traditions clash over beliefs or practices.

Response: Establish that discussion time isn't for debate. Keep focus on prayer rather than theology. Clarify the tradition the group follows. Celebrate diversity within unity.

Attendance Drops

Regular members stop coming; group feels fragile.

Response: Check in with absent members. Evaluate if meeting time works. Assess if format needs refreshing. Accept that groups have seasons - some attrition is normal.

Someone in Crisis

A member is going through major difficulty and needs more support than the group can provide.

Response: Listen with compassion but recognize limits. Connect them with appropriate help (pastor, counselor, spiritual director). The group isn't therapy - maintain its prayer focus.

Leader Burnout

You're tired and the group feels like a burden.

Response: Share leadership responsibilities. Take an occasional break. Evaluate if you're doing too much. Seek your own spiritual direction. It's okay for groups to end or pause.

Resources for Group Leaders

Organizational Support

Contemplative Outreach - Resources for starting Centering Prayer groups, leader training, connection with local chapters
World Community for Christian Meditation - Support for WCCM-style meditation groups, leader resources
Renovare - Curriculum and resources for spiritual formation groups
Your diocese or denomination - Some have offices supporting contemplative spirituality

Books for Group Use

For Centering Prayer

"Open Mind, Open Heart" - Keating
"Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening" - Bourgeault
"Intimacy with God" - Keating

For Christian Meditation

"Word into Silence" - John Main
"Moment of Christ" - John Main
"Finding the Still Point" - Finley

For Lectio Divina

"Too Deep for Words" - Thelma Hall
"Sacred Reading" - Michael Casey
"Lectio Divina" - M. Basil Pennington

General Contemplative

"New Seeds of Contemplation" - Merton
"The Cloud of Unknowing" - Anonymous
"Into the Silent Land" - Laird

Sustaining the Group Long-Term

Keys to Longevity

Consistency - Same time, same place, every week builds rhythm
Flexibility within structure - Keep the core stable but vary readings/teachings
Shared ownership - The group belongs to all, not just the leader
Occasional retreat - Annual or bi-annual group retreat deepens bonds
Connection to wider tradition - Workshops, conferences, visiting teachers
New blood - Periodic welcome of new members prevents stagnation
Honest evaluation - Periodically assess what's working and what isn't

Remember

You're not building an organization - you're creating a space where God can work. The "success" of your group isn't measured by numbers but by the faithfulness of those who gather and the depth of prayer that happens. Even a group of 3-4 faithful practitioners is a genuine community. Trust the process, stay humble, and let God lead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need training to lead a group?

It helps significantly. Contemplative Outreach offers Centering Prayer facilitator training. WCCM has a School of Meditation. At minimum, attend a retreat in the tradition you'll share, read foundational texts, and ideally have your own spiritual director.

Should the group be ecumenical or denomination-specific?

Both work. Ecumenical groups offer rich diversity but require care with differences. Parish-based groups have built-in community but may miss broader perspectives. Consider your context. Some groups are ecumenical but meet at a particular church for convenience.

What if my pastor isn't supportive?

Proceed carefully. Explain what you're doing and address concerns honestly. Offer resources that ground contemplative prayer in Christian tradition. If opposition remains, you may need to meet outside church facilities, but maintaining parish connection is valuable. Don't create division.

How do we handle sharing time?

Keep it brief and focused. No cross-talk (responding to others' shares). Share from prayer experience, not advice or teaching. "Pass" is always acceptable. Guidelines like "one or two sentences" help. This isn't discussion - it's brief witness to what's happening in prayer.

Is it okay if the group ends?

Yes. Groups have seasons. Some run for years; others serve their purpose and conclude. Ending well is better than dragging on. If a group loses momentum, evaluate honestly. Sometimes a break allows for rebirth; sometimes it's simply time to close. Trust God's timing.