Contemplative Prayer: Centering Prayer or Meditation

Mar 19, 2017 ~ Prev | Intro | Next

Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)

In Centering Prayer, we let go of the words and images that usually consume our prayer time and let ourselves just be in the presence of God. Centering prayer is a type of meditation and like other forms of meditation, it requires practice and patience.

We are part of a world full of distractions that cause our thoughts to flit from one idea to the next. Our lives are full of striving: striving to make a living, striving to please our family, striving for a place in the community, even striving for God. During this prayer, let go of that striving. Instead, just be. Let God come to you. Be present in this moment and this moment only, letting go of the past and not worrying about the future.

To help achieve this unaccustomed state, choose a word on which to focus: God, Love, Peace, Grace. The exact word doesn’t matter. The word is used as a center.

Set aside some time for the prayer in a place you won’t be disturbed. Start with ten minutes, but take twenty or thirty minutes or longer as you gain practice. It may be helpful to set a timer so you are not distracted worrying about the time.

Sit comfortably. Shift position if you start to get uncomfortable. It may be helpful to close your eyes. Say your word to yourself, but this prayer is not about repeating your word. Instead, as your thoughts begin to wander, refocus them on your word. Don’t get angry or upset at the directions your mind takes or its lack of discipline. On the other hand, don’t be proud if your mind is completely blank. Notice stray thoughts, but let them go and refocus on your word. Let your mind be open to God, but don’t be distressed if you don’t hear anything. As with other relationships, simply being present can be as powerful as exchanging words.
At the end, thank God for the gift of silence and presence.

Reflection on Silence

1 Kings 19:11-13 (NRSV)

¹¹He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; ¹²and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence.

¹³When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

We live in a noisy world. Even when we take out our earbuds, turn off our devices, silence our phones, leave the stores playing elevator music, and shut out the noise of traffic, we are still surrounded by the sounds of our technology: humming refrigerators, blowing air from heat or air conditioning, whirring sump pumps.

Silence often makes us uncomfortable. It leaves us alone with our thoughts. But silence can also create the space for God’s voice to speak to us, as God spoke to Elijah. That thought also may make us uncomfortable. It is safer to be distracted than to listen for God. God may ask us what we are doing here.

What are we doing here?

What are you doing here?

Lord, make us who you want us to be.