Open Prayer

Open Prayer is a contemplative practice developed by Trent, our co-founder, in response to his experience of Centering Prayer. It offers a gentle approach for those with active minds who find it difficult to settle into sustained silence with God. By giving our thoughts and feelings a place within prayer, Open Prayer helps us become attentive to God’s presence and open to God’s will in our lives, without prescribing our own desired outcomes.

The practice begins with three simple invitations: “God, this is what I am feeling…”; “God, this is what I am carrying…”; and “God, this is what I do not know….” These prompts help us bring our lives honestly before God—our joys and frustrations, the concerns that weigh on us, and the questions we cannot answer. We do not need to resolve any of these things before we can pray.

After naming what is true, we pause and rest in God’s presence. Silence can begin with just a few moments, allowing stillness to grow naturally. This is an invitation to listen, to loosen our hold on what we think should happen, and to allow room for God’s will to unfold. Open Prayer complements prayers of petition and intercession, offering a way to be with God when we do not know what to ask.

Click the link below to download the Open Prayer handout developed for Open Prayer workshops.