“Be still and
know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
Centering Prayer is a
method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative
prayer, prayer in which we experience God's presence within us, closer than
breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. This method
of prayer is both a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that
relationship.
The focus of Centering
Prayer is the deepening of our relationship with the living Christ. The effects
of Centering Prayer are ecclesial, as the prayer tends to build communities of
faith and bond the members together in mutual friendship and love.
Four Simple Guidelines
1. Choose a sacred word as the symbol of your
intention to consent to God’s presence and action within.
2. Sitting comfortably and with eyes closed, settle
briefly and silently introduce the sacred 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 sacred word.
4. At the end of the prayer period, remain in
silence with eyes closed for a couple of minutes.
*thoughts include body sensations, feelings, images,
and reflections
Try the practice of centering
prayer for 20 minutes twice a day or at least once a day. It will change you.
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