The practice library

Every contemplative practice you can bring onto a page, where it comes from, and how it moves.

The Daily Examen

Ignatian · Ignatius of Loyola, 16th century

A review of the day in God’s presence — not to audit yourself, but to notice where you were carried and where you resisted.

Moves throughGratitude · Awareness · Examination · Prayer

Lectio Divina

Benedictine · Benedict of Nursia, 6th century

Not reading Scripture to extract truth, but receiving it — letting a word or phrase find you, and sitting with what it stirs.

Moves throughLectio — Read · Meditatio — Meditate · Oratio — Pray · Contemplatio — Rest

Wesley’s Questions

Wesleyan · John Wesley, 18th century

The questions Wesley’s band meetings held each other to. Hard. Honest. Meant to be asked among people who want to grow in holiness.

Moves throughHonesty · Purity · Confession

SOAP

Evangelical · Wayne Cordeiro, contemporary

A structured encounter with Scripture that moves from observation to personal application — simple enough to sustain daily.

Moves throughScripture · Observation · Application · Prayer

Psalmic Lament

Hebrew · Ancient — the Hebrew Psalter

The psalms of lament are not a failure of faith. They are faith’s most honest posture. You are invited to complain to God, boldly.

Moves throughAddress · Complaint · Petition · Trust

Prayer of Recollection

Carmelite · Teresa of Ávila, 16th century

Teresa taught that God is already present within you — not waiting outside. This practice turns you inward to find Him there.

Moves throughStillness · Descent · Presence

Emotionally Healthy Examen

Contemplative · Peter Scazzero, contemporary

An adaptation of the Examen that takes emotional honesty seriously — because you can’t be spiritually mature while emotionally immature.

Moves throughFeel · Reveal · Encounter

The Examen of Consolation

Ignatian · Ignatius of Loyola, 16th century

A shorter, lighter form of the Examen focused entirely on noticing where love moved — in you and around you — today.

Moves throughNotice · Receive · Return

Ignatian Discernment

Ignatian · Ignatius of Loyola, 16th century

For a decision you are holding. Ignatius taught that the Spirit’s movement can be felt — not just reasoned toward. You’re learning to read your own interior.

Moves throughName the question · Consolation · Desolation · Hold