Centering Prayer

What is Centering Prayer?

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. 

Centering Prayer is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer. Rather, it adds depth of meaning to all prayer and facilitates the movement from more active modes of prayer — verbal, mental or affective prayer — into a receptive prayer of resting in God. Centering Prayer emphasizes prayer as a personal relationship with God and as a movement beyond conversation with Christ to communion with Him.

The source of Centering Prayer, as in all methods leading to contemplative prayer, is the Indwelling Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 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. 

Anyone can start practicing Centering Prayer at any time. These suggestions from Thomas Keating are designed to deepen and enrich the experience. If twenty minutes is too long for you, start with five. If five minutes is too long, try starting with three.

Centering Prayer in Four Steps

Choose a sacred word.

• The sacred word expresses our intention to consent to God’s presence and action within.

• Use a word of one or two syllables, such as: God, Jesus, Abba, Father, Mother, Mary, Amen. Other possibilities include: Love, Listen, Peace, Mercy, Let Go, Silence, Stillness, Faith, Trust.

• Instead of a sacred word, a simple inward glance toward the Divine Presence, or noticing one’s breath may be more suitable for some persons. The same guidelines apply to these symbols as to the sacred word.

• The sacred word is sacred not because of its inherent meaning, but because of the meaning we give it as the expression of our intention to consent.

• Having chosen a sacred word, we do not change it during the prayer period.

Settle into silence.

• Find a relatively comfortable seat so as not to encourage sleep during the time of prayer. Whatever sitting position we choose, we keep the back straight.

• We close our eyes as a symbol of letting go of what is going on around and within us.

• We introduce the sacred word inwardly.

When engaged, gently return.

• When engaged with your thoughts, gently return to the sacred word.

• “Thoughts” is an umbrella term for every perception, including body sensations, sense perceptions, feelings, images, memories, plans, reflections, concepts, commentaries, and spiritual experiences.

• By “returning ever-so-gently to the sacred word,” a minimum of effort is indicated. This is the only activity we initiate during the time of Centering Prayer.

• During the course of Centering Prayer, the sacred word may become vague or disappear.

End the prayer.

• At the end of the prayer period remain in silence with eyes closed for a couple of minutes.

• The additional two minutes enables us to bring the atmosphere of silence into everyday life.

• If this prayer is done in a group, the leader may slowly recite a prayer, such as the Lord’s Prayer, while the others listen.

Recommended Reading

Learn More

Learn more about Centering Prayer at Contemplative Outreach:
www.contemplativeoutreach.org