Prayer of Recollection Summary

Preparation 

  1. Choose a quiet place.  If desired, use the prayer timer.

  2. Sitting comfortably, with eyes closed, take a deep breath, and slowly exhale. Repeat this deep breathing several times. Gradually relax your whole body. 

  3. Next, quiet your mind. Acknowledge any thoughts and surrender them to God. Thoughts include reflections, body sensations, emotions, memories and images.

Meeting the Lord 

  1. Recall that you are in God’s presence. Recall, too, that Jesus Christ, our risen Lord, true God and true man, is within you. Quietly sit with Jesus, aware of his presence within. You don’t have to think about him, or reason about him, or form an image of him. Simply look at him with eyes of faith. And in faith be aware that he is looking at you. 

  2. When you notice your mind wandering, immediately bring your attention back to the Lord present within you.  If your mind wanders again, say to yourself non-judgmentally, “My mind is wandering again,” and gently bring your attention back to Jesus within you. 

  3. Remain in this prayer for 20-30 minutes.

  4. As your time of prayer draws to a close, open your eyes. Continue to sit comfortably for a few more minutes, gradually becoming aware of your surroundings. 

You may wish to conclude your time of prayer by saying slowly and reflectively the Our Father, the Hail Mary, or some other prayer. 


Let us desire and be occupied in prayer not for the sake of enjoyment but so as to have the strength to serve. St. Teresa of Ávila, The Interior Castle