“Centering Prayer is a receptive method of Christian silent prayer which 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, closer than consciousness itself.” – contemplativeoutreach.org
Centering prayer is essentially letting go and resting in God. It is also the practice of “releasing” and “receiving” which is a powerful act and a holy pastime. Centering prayer is a deepening practice of surrender to the presence of God. Thomas Keatings described it as “10 thousand opportunities to return to God”.
Brief Guide to Centering Prayer:
- Choose a word (or image) as the symbol of your intention to consent to God’s presence and action within.
- Set a timer so you don’t have to think about the time (15-30 minutes as you wish)
- Sitting comfortably and with eyes closed, settle briefly. Then silently introduce you word as the symbol of your consent to God’s presence and action within.
- When you realize that you have become engaged with your thoughts*, return ever-so-gently to your word as an anchor for your intention to consent to God’s presence and action within.
- At the end of the prayer period, remain in silence for a couple of minutes, with eyes closed, with a heart of gratitude.
Click on The Method of Centering Prayer for a more complete guide developed by Thomas Keatings and Contemplative Outreach International at contemplativeoutreach.org.
