Quiet before God
Prayer includes speaking, asking, thanking, and confessing. But Scripture also makes room for stillness. The psalmist calls God’s people to stop striving and recognise who God is, and Jesus commends Mary of Bethany for sitting at his feet and giving him her attention (Psalm 46:10; Luke 10:39).
In that sense, contemplative prayer is less about finding impressive words and more about deliberately being present with God. You might sit quietly for a few minutes, bring your wandering thoughts back to God, and simply offer him your attention. That can be a real prayer.
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Not an empty mind
Christian contemplation is not usually understood as trying to make the mind blank. Our minds do wander, and there is no need to panic when they do. Gently return to God, perhaps with a short biblical phrase such as “Lord, have mercy” or “Thy will be done”, and let Scripture shape what you are dwelling on (Luke 18:13; Matthew 6:10).
You could slowly reflect on a verse, notice what it reveals about God, and answer him honestly. Or you may sit in silence after reading Scripture, trusting that God already knows your heart. The goal is not to hear a new message every time. It is to grow in loving attention and faithful dependence.
Listening with humility
People sometimes describe contemplative prayer as listening prayer. That can be helpful, as long as listening does not mean treating every thought, feeling, or impression as God’s voice. Elijah encountered God after dramatic wind, earthquake, and fire, in a quiet moment that redirected his attention to the Lord (1 Kings 19:11-12).
Any sense of guidance should be tested by the character and teaching of Scripture. God will not lead someone contrary to what he has already revealed. Wise Christians can also help when a decision feels weighty or confusing (1 John 4:1).
And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
A simple way to begin
Choose a quiet place, as Jesus encourages when he speaks about praying privately to the Father (Matthew 6:6). Read a short passage, perhaps one verse from a Psalm or one scene from the Gospels. Then sit quietly for a few minutes. Thank God for being near, tell him what is on your heart, and return your attention to him whenever it drifts.
There is no need to force calm or manufacture a feeling. Some days will feel peaceful, while others may feel distracted or dry. Keep coming honestly. Paul invites believers to bring everything to God in prayer, and God’s peace is his gift, not something you achieve by perfect technique (Philippians 4:6-7).
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.