Seeking God in Prayer
Prayer is the heart of our life as monks—
and the heart of Christian life.
Whether you’re just beginning to pray or deepening a lifelong practice, we invite you to explore the riches of contemplative prayer with us.
The Brothers of SSJE have spent decades learning to pray, stumbling, starting again, and discovering God’s presence in silence, Scripture, liturgy, and the ordinary moments of life. This speace gathers our teaching, preaching, and practices to help you find your own way into deeper communion with God.
Start Here—A Beginner’s Path
New to prayer? Start here. These resources will give you a gentle, grounded introduction to prayer as the Brothers practice and teach it.
What Is Prayer?
Prayer is not our gift to God, but God’s gift to us—an invitation to relationship with the One who loves you completely.
This introduction draws you into prayer not as a task or duty, but as a loving conversation with God who is already seeking you out. Discover how contemplative prayer is simply learning to be present to the Presence that is always with you.
For a more insight, consider listening to these sermons: Invited to Pray – Br. David Vryhof or The Radical Practice of Contemplation – Br. Keith Nelson
How to Begin: Silence and Listening
God’s first language is silence. When we practice the presence of God and become inwardly quiet, we hear the still, small voice that gives us life.
Learn to create space in your day to listen—really listen—for God. Silence isn’t empty; it’s full of God’s loving presence. This practice will help you discover the joy of resting in God’s care and hearing the voice that speaks beneath all the noise of daily life.
We invite you to look deeper here: Br. James’ Reflections on Silence or The Sound of Silence – Br. Geoffrey Tristram
Praying with Scripture: Lectio Divina
Let Scripture speak to your heart, not just your head. In lectio divina, we read slowly, savoring each word until it becomes prayer.
Discover an ancient way of reading the Bible that transforms words on a page into a living encounter with God. You’ll learn to stop, listen, and let a single phrase open your heart to what God wants to say to you today.
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Making Prayer a Daily Habit
Prayer deepens when it becomes as natural as breathing—woven into the rhythm of your day, not squeezed into the margins.
Explore simple, sustainable ways to anchor your day in prayer. Whether it’s a morning word, an evening examen, or moments of awareness throughout the day, you’ll find practices that help you stay connected to God in the midst of ordinary life.
For more consideration: What Prayer is God Inviting You to Today? or Brother, Give Us a Word (a possible daily practice)
Explore by Theme
Prayer and Contemplation
The “theology of the heart.”
Prayer is not a performance or a chore; it is a response to the God who is already looking at us with love. Whether you are just beginning or returning after a long absence, these resources explore the foundations of a contemplative life. Discover how to move from “saying prayers” to “being in prayer,” and how to cultivate a heart that is habitually open to the presence of God.
Practices
The “tool kit.”
The tradition of the Church offers a rich variety of “ways in” to conversation with God. From the ancient rhythm of Lectio Divina (holy reading) to the quiet focus of the Jesus Prayer or the daily reflection of the Examen, these guides offer step-by-step instructions. Explore these time-tested monastic tools to find the practices that best sustain your unique spiritual journey.
Seasons of the Church Year
Connecting personal prayer to the “Great Story.”
Our life of prayer does not happen in a vacuum; it follows the unfolding mystery of Christ’s life through the year. Each liturgical season, from the longing of Advent to the joy of Easter, offers a specific flavor of prayer and unique spiritual invitations. Find seasonal reflections and prayers to help you stay in sync with the rhythm of the Church.
The Rule of Life
The “trellis for the vine.”
Our Rule of Life is a flexible framework that helps us prioritize what matters most: our relationship with God and one another. Drawing on the SSJE Rule, these reflections explore how intentional commitments to prayer, work, rest, and community can create a life of balance and deep joy. Learn how the wisdom of a monastic Rule can be adapted to shape your own daily life.
Our Lived Insight
Wisdom from “a lifetime of developing response.”
The Brothers share insights gained from a life lived in the intentional pursuit of God. These articles and series dive into the deeper waters of the spiritual life, addressing the challenges and graces of the monastic path. Explore wisdom on topics like silence, obedience, conversion of life, and the transformative power of staying put with God.
Sermons and Preaching
The “living word”—originally delivered reflections in the context of worship.
In the monastery, the Word is broken open daily. These curated sermons focus specifically on the life of faith and the struggle and beauty of prayer. Listen to or read the Brothers’ reflections on the Sunday Gospels and feast days, offering a monastic perspective on how the living Word speaks to our contemporary world.
Brother, Give Us a Word
The “daily bread.”
Sometimes we only have a moment, and a single word is enough to re-center our day. Brother, Give Us a Word provides a daily spark for meditation—a brief scripture passage, a photograph, and a short reflection from the Brothers. Start your morning with a monastic word that stays with you through the hours ahead.
Essential Wisdom on Prayer
The Grace of Silence
Silence is not merely the absence of noise, but a space of attentive waiting. In this foundational reflection, the Brothers explore how silence becomes the “hospitality of the heart,” allowing us to hear the “still, small voice” that is often drowned out by the clamor of modern life.
Read the Article
Praying the Psalms
The Psalms cover the entire range of human emotion—from ecstatic praise to bitter lament. Learn how the monastic practice of chanting and praying the Psalms can provide you with a “ready-made” language for prayer, especially in seasons when your own words feel out of reach.
Explore the Practice
The Jesus Prayer: A Prayer of the Heart
“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.” This short, rhythmic prayer has been used for centuries to tether the wandering mind to the presence of Christ. Discover the history and the practice of this “arrow prayer” and how it can be whispered throughout your workday.
Learn the Prayer
When You Can’t Pray
There are times in every life when the well runs dry and prayer feels like a burden or a void. Br. David Vryhof offers a compassionate perspective on “the dark night,” reminding us that God is often most active in us when we feel the least “spiritual.”
Read the Reflection
A Rule of Life for the Rest of Us
You don’t need to be a monk to have a Rule of Life. This guide explores how to create a “trellis” for your own spiritual growth, helping you balance prayer, work, and rest in a way that is life-giving rather than legalistic.
View the Guide
Lectio Divina: Listening to the Living Word
Move beyond studying the Bible to “tasting” it. This resource breaks down the four traditional movements of Lectio Divina—Read, Meditate, Pray, Contemplate—offering a practical way to let the Word of God move from your head to your heart.
Start the Practice
Next Steps
Prayer deepens in community and practice. Here’s some possible paths to enrich your path.
Come on Retreat
Experience silence, sanctuary, and guided prayer at our monastery or Emery House.
Subscribe to Brother,
Give Us a Word
Get a daily meditation in your inbox to anchor your morning.
Explore the Rule of Life
See how a Rule can shape your own rhythm of prayer and life.
Meet The Fellowship
of Saint John
See how other people adapt the Rule for themselves
Related Hubs
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Finding Your Way in Christ
Discernment, vocation, and formation.
→ Link to hub
Serving God and Neighbors
Action, reconciliation, and witness.
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What Our Community is Saying
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