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Centering Prayer
Prepared by: Bill Payton and Margaret Jackson
FAQ
1. What is centering prayer? What is it NOT?
Centering prayer is making oneself intentionally available to the presence of God. While contemplative, it differs from meditation.
2. How does one “do” centering prayer?
See “A Method of Centering Prayer” following FAQ.
3. How often does one need to do centering prayer?
One needs to work toward one to two daily encounters with the Holy One lasting 20 minutes each.
4. How does one time oneself?
One may use a kitchen timer or a watch alarm. After awhile, one’s interior “body clock” may automatically serve as a timer.
5. Do I do centering prayer alone or in a group?
Both, just like one prays daily by oneself and at least once a week in community.
6. What will centering prayer do for me?
Centering prayer encourages one to be available to a relationship with God on a regular basis. It helps to frame ones’ day, bringing in the past and anticipating the future—all in relationship to God.
A Method of Centering Prayer
Step One: Take a few moments to quiet down and then move in faith to God’s presence living within you. At the end of the prayer time we take several minutes to come from prayer and then pray silently or verbally the Lord’s Prayer (or some other prayer).
Step Two: Take up a sacred word. Let a word come to you or simply choose a word. Take a positive one or two symbol word or phrase, a word like: love, Lord, abba, amma, God, Jesus, Spirit, alleluia, joy, amen, come Holy Spirit, etc. Gently put the word or phrase into your mind.
Step Three: In the course of the silence, whenever we become aware of thinking or feeling anything whatsoever, without judging yourself, gently return to the word. It doesn’t matter whether you say the word seldomly or often. What matters is that we give up whatever there is to give up so that our focus is simply God’s presence. Our willful intention is to simply be aware of God’s presence and to allow God to be present with us in any way God chooses to be present.
Step Four: At the end of 20 minutes, quietly and deliberately pray the Lord’s Prayer or some other prayer. The Tradition recommends two 20 minute prayer periods each day, preferably in the morning and early evening.
Resources
Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening by Cynthia Bourgeault
Intimacy with God by Thomas Keating
Manifesting God by Thomas Keating
Open Mind, Open Heart by Thomas Keating
Finding Grace at the Center by M. Basil Pennington
Centering Prayer by M. Basil Pennington
Centering Prayer in Daily Life and Ministry by Gustave Reninger
All the above are available at the Cathedral Bookstore.
For a listing of Centering Prayer retreats and support groups internationally, catalogs and newsletters contact: Contemplative Outreach, Box 737, 10 Park Place, Suite 2B, Butler, NJ 07405. Website: www.contemplativeoutreach.org
For a more complete listing of books, audio/videotapes contact: Contemplative Outreach, 1-800-608-0096.
