Continuing a Practice of Centering Prayer

Continuing a Practice of Centering Prayer

Hanging in there!

For much of the time Centering prayer will be practiced by us on our own. However, a weekly sharing of the experience in a small group has proven to be very supportive as well as a good means of ongoing education. Sometimes just knowing that the group are meeting together each week is a great encouragement to keep going or an invitation to return to the practice of prayer if circumstances have prevented us from carrying out our commitment to the daily practice for a time. By sharing the experience of Centering prayer in a group our own discernment of the ups and downs of the practice are more finely tuned.

Centering Prayer Retreats are also a good way to sustain and immerse us even more in the practice of the prayer and the Spiritual journey. They provide an opportunity to take a step out of the noise and activity of our busy lives and to simply rest in God’s presence for a time.

In everyday life Thomas Keating also suggests the use of an Active Prayer Sentence. Pick a five to nine syllable sentence from Scripture or prayer and gradually work it into your sub-conscious by repeating it mentally when your mind is free, such as doing light chores, walking, driving, waiting for the bus or a phone call. Eventually it becomes part of you and maintains a link with your reservoir of interior silence built up during the periods of Centering Prayer.

Some examples are:

My Lord and my God

My Jesus mercy

Sacred Heart of Jesus I place all my trust in you

Not my will but yours be done