What is Centering Prayer?
Centering Prayer is a receptive method of Christian silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, a prayer in which we experience God’s presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself.
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.
4 At the end of the prayer period, remain in silence with eyes closed for a couple of minutes.
Recommended practice for Centering Prayer is a minimum of 20 minutes, twice daily, with the intention of deepening one’s relationship with God.
Painting by Julene Franki
Learn more about Centering Prayer from the Contemplative Outreach website.
Find local Prayer groups in San Antonio and the Hill Country.