CENTERING PRAYER
The Explanation
Centering Prayer is a receptive method of Christian silent prayer that deepens our relationship with God, the Indwelling Presence … a prayer in which we can experience God’s presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, or consciousness itself. The key to this prayer method is to be still and know God (Psalm 46:10).
Here are the four steps to centering prayer with some explanation.
I. Choose a word to symbolise your intention to consent to God’s presence and action within.
• The word expresses our intention to consent to God’s presence and action within and to be fully open to Him.
• The word is chosen during a brief period of prayer to the Holy Spirit. Use a word of one or two syllables, such as God, Jesus, Abba, Father, Amen. Other possibilities include Love, Listen, Peace, Mercy, Let Go, Silence, Stillness, Faith, and Trust.
• The word does not have inherent meaning, but because of the meaning, we give it to express our intention to consent.
• Having chosen a word, we do not change it during prayer because that would be engaging thoughts.
2. Sitting comfortably and with eyes closed, settle briefly and silently introduce the word as the symbol of your consent to God’s presence and action within.
• “Sitting comfortably” means relatively comfortably so as not to encourage sleep during the time of prayer.
• Whatever sitting position we choose, we keep the back straight.
• We close our eyes as a symbol of letting go of what is happening around and within us.
• We introduce the word inwardly as gently as laying a feather on a piece of absorbent cotton.
• If we fall asleep, we continue the prayer upon awakening.
3. When engaged with your thoughts, return ever-so-gently to the word.
• “Thoughts” is an umbrella term for every perception, including body sensations, sense perceptions, feelings, images, memories, plans, reflections, concepts, commentaries, and spiritual experiences.
• Thoughts are an inevitable, integral and normal part of Centering Prayer.
• By “returning ever-so-gently to the sacred word”, a minimum of effort is indicated. This is the only activity we initiate during the time of Centering Prayer. • During the course of Centering Prayer, the sacred word may become vague or disappear.
4. At the end of the prayer period, remain silent with eyes closed for a couple of minutes.
• The additional two minutes enable us to bring the atmosphere of silence into everyday life.
• If this prayer is done in a group, the leader may slowly recite a prayer, such as the Lord’s Prayer, while the others listen.
The minimum suggested time for this prayer is normaly 20 minutes, however if you are new to this gradualy built up to this over weeks.
THE PRACTICE
As a reminder, here are the four simple steps to Centering Prayer that you can use at any stage throughout the day.
1. Choose a word to symbolise your intention to consent to God’s presence and action within.
2. Sitting comfortably and with eyes closed, settle briefly and silently introduce the word as the symbol of your consent to God’s presence and action within.
3. When engaged with your thoughts, return ever-so-gently to the word.
4. At the end of the prayer period, remain silent with eyes closed for a couple of minutes.
Ideas and words are thanks to Contemplative Outreach.
