As a spiritual discipline centering prayer requires practice. It is simple, but not easy. This method of prayer is both a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship.
“Be still and know that I am God.” That’s sounds simple, but reality often introduces the difficult part. Our active lives offer numerous distractions and thoughts interrupt our intentions to sit and be aware of the Great Mystery we call God.
Here’s a brief introduction from Contemplative Outreach: The 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. (*thoughts include body sensations, feelings, images, and reflections.)
4. At the end of the prayer period, remain in silence with eyes closed for a couple of minutes.
A more detailed introduction to centering prayer is available in the FCC atrium or can be accessed online at:
https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/sites/default/files/private/center_prayer_method_2017-01_0.pdf
Til Zimmerman
