Contemplative Quote by David G. Benner
““Contemplative prayer is not so much a type of prayer as something that should be a component of all prayer. It is the silence and space for stillness before God that supports genuine presence and openness to God . . . Sadly, it is this contemplative dimension that is most lacking from prayer. Communal prayer seldom leaves sufficient space for stillness before God in silence. Even liturgical prayer often leaves inadequate space for silence, and nonliturgical worship experiences are, of course, usually infamously devoid of silence. Intentional times of personal prayer are often rushed and reduced to the basics of petitions, intercession and possibly an expression or two of gratitude. All this is certainly worthy of being called prayer. But lacking the contemplative dimension, it is not holistic prayer and it will not be transformational.””
About This Quote
Prayer should include silence and stillness to foster genuine presence with the divine; without it, prayer remains transactional and less transformative.
In simple terms: True prayer needs quiet moments for deep connection, not just petitions.
Key Takeaway
Integrate contemplative silence into all prayer practices.
Themes
prayer
silence
spiritual depth
holistic practice
Mood
calm
introspective
inspirational
Type
instructional
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal worship
- church services
- meditative retreats
Key Concepts
contemplative prayer
mindfulness
ritual design
Questions to Reflect On
- What practices can create space for silence in daily life?
- How does silence change the quality of your prayers?
A Different Perspective
May be challenging in noisy, fast‑paced environments.
![“It is to this silence [contemplative prayer] that we all are called.” quote by Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f97/henri-nouwen-600_contemplative_it-is-to-this-silence-contemplative-pray_179446.jpg)
![“This mystical stream [contemplative prayer] is the Western bridge to Far Eastern spirituality.” quote by Tilden Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f24/tilden-edwards-85901_bridges_this-mystical-stream-contemplative-praye_2457411.jpg)
