During Lent we are practicing 20 minutes of silence in the sanctuary before worship. You are invited to pray contemplatively during this time, using the Centering Prayer Method described below, if you desire.
Contemplative prayer is the opening of our whole being to God, beyond thoughts, words, and emotions. Through grace we open our awareness to God whom we know by faith is within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than choosing, closer than consciousness itself. It is, in the words of the psalmist, to “Be still and know that I am God.”
Centering Prayer is a method designed to facilitate the development of contemplative prayer, presenting ancient Christian wisdom teachings in an updated form. It moves us beyond conversation with Christ into communion with him.
Here’s how the Centering Prayer Method works:
- Choose a sacred word as the symbol of your intention to consent to God’s presence and action within. Any word will do (i.e. Love, Presence, Home, God). The content is less important than the intention behind it.
- 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.
- When engaged with your thoughts, return ever-so-gently to the sacred word. Do not resist thoughts or get involved with them. When you notice them (and you will have thoughts and feelings!), simply let them go and return to the sacred word.
- At the end of the prayer period, a bell will ring. Remain in silence with eyes closed for a few moments before opening your eyes and returning to normal consciousness.
(Taken from Thomas Keating’s Centering Prayer method.)
