Learning to Be With God:
An Introduction to Contemplative Prayer
What if following Jesus isn't only about what we can accomplish for Him, but also about learning how to be with Him?
At Cornerstone, we're beginning a yearlong journey of prayer together. As part of that journey, Jared and Dominique Dawson recently led us in an introduction to contemplative prayer—a practice that invites us to slow down, become attentive to God, receive His love, listen for His voice, and allow His presence to transform us.
More Than Doing for God
Jared began by sharing from Paul's prayer in Philippians 1:9–11, where Paul prays that the church's love would overflow, that they would grow in knowledge and understanding, and that their lives would be marked by the fruit of their salvation.
What stands out is that Paul's prayer isn't simply that they would know more about Jesus or do more for Jesus, but that they would deeply know Him and become more like Him.
That distinction matters.
We can become very busy doing things for God while still struggling to simply be present with God. Even our prayer lives can become another place where we're focused on doing—reading Scripture, making requests, confessing, or trying to accomplish something spiritually.
Contemplative prayer invites us into something different.
As Jared and Dominique described it, contemplative prayer creates space to become attentive to God—to rest in His presence, receive His love, listen for His voice, and allow Him to transform us.
Simply put: contemplative prayer is learning to be with God rather than simply doing things for God.
Making Space to Notice God
One of the challenges of contemplative prayer is also one of the simplest: slowing down.
Our lives are full of noise, activity, information, and distraction. Even when we intentionally spend time with God, our minds can be busy.
Pastor Dom shared honestly about this challenge at the beginning of the workshop. His prayer life can be full of Scripture, meditation, confession, and even walking while praying—but he recognized how difficult it can be to simply be still and silent before God and allow God to minister to his heart.
Contemplative prayer doesn't ask us to stop thinking or achieve a completely empty mind. Instead, it helps us become more attentive—to God, to His Word, and to what is happening within us.
The invitation is to make space to notice that God is already present.
A Practice Rooted in the Christian Tradition
Contemplative prayer isn't a new practice or something outside the Christian tradition. Jared and Dominique traced its roots through Scripture and centuries of Christian practice, including the monastic tradition and practices such as lectio divina, or “divine reading.”
Lectio divina traditionally moves through several stages: reading Scripture, pondering or “chewing” on the Word, responding to God in prayer, and resting in His presence.
Throughout Christian history, believers have practiced silence, solitude, stillness, devotional prayer, spiritual retreats, and other rhythms designed to help them become more attentive to God.
While other religious traditions may also practice silence, meditation, breath awareness, or stillness, Christian contemplation is distinctly centered on relationship with the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and is grounded in Scripture and the Christian story.
The goal isn't simply to achieve an altered state or empty the mind. The goal is communion with God and transformation into the likeness of Christ.
Practicing the Presence of God
One of the most accessible invitations from the workshop was learning to recognize that contemplative prayer doesn't have to happen only during a designated prayer time.
It can become a posture throughout the day.
A breath prayer. A moment of silence before reaching for your phone. A few minutes sitting quietly with Scripture. A walk without headphones. A pause in the middle of a busy day to remember:
God is here.
These small moments can help us develop an awareness of God's presence throughout our ordinary lives.
An Invitation to Slow Down
Perhaps the biggest invitation of contemplative prayer is simply this:
Slow down enough to notice God.
Following Jesus is certainly about serving, obeying, loving, and participating in His work in the world. But it is also about receiving His love, enjoying His presence, and allowing Him to form us from the inside out.
The goal isn't to add another spiritual obligation to our already busy lives.
It's to create space for relationship.
As we continue Cornerstone's Year of Prayer, may we become a people who don't only pray more, but who learn to be more attentive to the God who is already with us.
A Simple Practice to Try This Week
Find five quiet minutes.
Put away your phone. Sit somewhere comfortable. Take a few slow breaths and become aware of God's presence.
Read a short passage of Scripture slowly. Rather than rushing to understand or apply it, sit with a word or phrase that stands out to you.
Then simply remain with God.
You don't have to accomplish anything.
Be still. Listen. Receive.
And ask:
“God, what are You inviting me to notice?”
*AI & Editorial Note: This post was organized with the assistance of AI from a transcript of the workshop. The content was reviewed and edited by the workshop leaders, Jared and Dominique Dawson, for accuracy and clarity.