Centering Prayer and How It’s Changing My Life

I don’t know if I can do this. That was the thought that went through my head as I walked into church one Friday morning.  I had decided to see what a Centering Prayer group was all about. I wanted to learn how to be still before God yet it seemed against my very nature which was focused on doing — anything and everything quickly and efficiently as possible. I’m grateful that I didn’t let fear turn me away that day. Instead, God led me to a group and a practice that has become such an important part of my life. I’m talking about the practice of Centering Prayer and how It’s changing my life.

How Centering Prayer Found Me

I had a friend who had been practicing Centering Prayer for years. Many times, she invited me to attend the Centering Prayer group with her, but I always declined. I just wasn’t ready.  This same friend also taught my daughters’ Religious Education class.  And at the end of each class, she introduced the kids to the practice of Centering Prayer. For example, they were encouraged to sit quietly with eyes closed for just five minutes. During that time if their mind wandered, she told them to think of a sacred word such as Jesus, God, or peace and come back to that word anytime they started focusing on their thoughts. I decided to join along with the kids in the practice too. How hard can this be? But I struggled. Five minutes seemed like an eternity to me.

Fast forward several years later, and I saw an advertisement again for a Centering Prayer group in a church where I was attending a bible study. Although the group met regularly, this upcoming session was for newcomers as they were going to talk about the practice and the benefits of Centering Prayer. Somehow it seemed less intimidating starting at the beginning and learning the basics, so I decided to go. I had just lost my father to Parkinson’s Disease a few weeks prior and I was also suffering the effects from the shingles virus which in turn caused some autoimmune issues. Needless to say, I wasn’t feeling good emotionally or physically. Also, I had just left a part-time job that wasn’t bringing me joy. I needed something.  Therefore, I was desperate to find peace and to hear God’s voice in my life.

After that one session of Centering Prayer, I knew I wanted to learn more. Moreover, I experienced the words of the spiritual, faith-filled women in that group who had so much wisdom to offer me. So, I decided to join. Now, here I am, practicing Centering Prayer and writing this article about how Centering Prayer is changing my life. 

The leader of our Centering Prayer group often says, Centering Prayer finds you.

What is Centering Prayer All About?

Centering Prayer is contemplative prayer. It’s a silent prayer that’s often called the prayer of consent. It’s a commitment to opening our minds and hearts (our whole being) to God going beyond thoughts, words, or emotions. Since God dwells within us, in Centering Prayer, we are still and silent before God consenting to His presence and action from within. Unlike other forms of prayer, it requires no real action on our part. If fact, it’s just the opposite. In Centering Prayer, we let go of thoughts, emotions, or feelings and simply rest in the presence of God. This discipline of Centering Prayer can change your life.

It is based on the wisdom of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount as he says:  “When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6 ESV).

How Is Centering Prayer Practiced?

1. Choose a Sacred Word – Before Centering Prayer begins, a sacred word is chosen as a symbol of your intention to consent to God’s presence and action within you. The word isn’t sacred because of the meaning of the word itself. Rather, It is sacred because of the meaning we give to it as our commitment to consent to God within us. The word can be any word you choose but one or two-syllable words are best.  Examples include Jesus, God, peace, love, stillness, calm, listen, etc. This word is what you will come back to when your mind starts to wander and thoughts arise during your practice time.

2. Sit comfortably and close your eyes – Next, sit in a comfortable position with your back straight and slowly introduce the sacred word. A typical ‘sit’ period for Centering Prayer is 20 minutes in length.

3. Return to Your Sacred Word When Thoughts Arise – During the prayer time, it’s normal to have thoughts come and go. Thoughts include body sensations, feelings, images, and reflections. When thoughts arise, return gently to the sacred word. The sacred word is not a mantra to be repeated when your thoughts arise. Instead, the word is a reminder of your intention to consent to God’s presence within you. So, when your thoughts wander, gently introduce the sacred word again and then let your thoughts go as if they were floating down the river of your consciousness.

4. Remain in Silence – Lastly, at the end of the prayer period, remain in silence with your eyes closed for a few minutes. At the end, a short prayer is said such as The Our Father before we open our eyes and end our sit.

What Centering Prayer Has Taught Me

I’ve learned that the benefits of Centering Prayer are not always seen during the 20-minute sit. In fact, the fruits of the practice are often revealed later in everyday life.

I know this to be true because…

Centering Prayer has taught me to be still.

Through Centering Prayer, I’ve learned to appreciate and welcome silence.

I’ve learned that in silence, God often speaks.

Centering Prayer has taught me why it’s important to pause before responding.

God’ presence within me is more deeply rooted in my mind and heart through Centering Prayer.

Centering Prayer is teaching me to be gentle with myself. Thoughts are normal. They come and they go. But they often don’t reflect reality and we don’t have to identify with them. We can accept them and let them go.

Stillness and silence are necessary parts of life. Our world today is so full of noise – constant talking, texting, typing, singing, etc. We need to do what Jesus did. He was often described as retreating to a quiet place to pray in silence.

Centering Prayer is For Everyone

If I can do Centering Prayer, anyone can.

For me, being still isn’t always easy. However, I’m finding that it’s so important for me to take this time to be quiet and still before God. Many times, it’s the only quiet time in my day. Sometimes it’s a struggle to sit still and my thoughts are all over the place. Other times, the thoughts come and go and there are moments of peacefulness. My goal for Centering Prayer is to just show up. To remain faithful to the practice. God sees my heart so there’s no need to judge my prayer time. Some days I can sit for 20 minutes, and some days I can’t. And that’s ok.  

If you are just starting out, start with five minutes or 10 minutes and go from there. Don’t be hard on yourself or judge your Centering Prayer experience. It’s different for everyone. Any time spent in silence with the intention of being in God’s presence is always a good thing.

Centering Prayer Resources

Want to learn more about Centering Prayer? Here some good resources.

Contemplative Outreach – www.contemplativeoutreach.com – An online resource dedicated to living the contemplative dimension of the Gospel. Contemplative Outreach offers information on Centering Prayer and other contemplative practices along with additional resources, programs, and events.

Silence Teaches – www.silenceteaches.com – A website founded by Rich Lewis that I’ve found to be helpful to my Centering Prayer practice. You can receive emails delivered right to your inbox about the practice of Centering Prayer offering encouragement to stay with the practice as well as recommendations for books and events on contemplative living.

Centering Prayer Mobile App – I use this app to do my Centering Prayer sits. You can set the length of time for your sit and choose an opening and closing prayer to use before and after your prayer time. You can also select a timer indicated by soft music or sounds to notify you when the sit begins and ends.

Your Church – Check the bulletin of your church or other churches nearby to find a weekly Centering Prayer group. I’ve found the group environment to be key in encouraging me to continue with the practice and to share my experience with others.

Centering Prayer Books – During our Centering Prayer weekly meetings, we select a book to discuss after our silent sit that relates to centering prayer. Here some good books/authors to choose from:

• The Path of Centering Prayer by David Frenette and Thomas Keating
• Open Mind, Open Heart by Thomas Keating
• The Daily Reader for Contemplative Living – by Thomas Keating

“Be still and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10 (NIV)