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.
Centering Prayer is made to add depth to the prayer and put us nearer to God. It deepens our relationship with Christ. It's a silent prayer.
ReplyDeleteThe steps to do centering prayer are the following:1. Sit quietly and relax. Enjoy your own inner silence. Be calm. 2. Respond to God's presence with an act of faith. Do not allow your thoughts or feelings to get in the way.3. Put your faith and love into the word or phrase. Whisper it softly.4. Center your attention and desire on God. Leave your thoughts and feelings peacefully.5. When you end this prayer time, move slowly to a silent awareness of God.