CENTERING PRAYER

The prayer of consent

The Method of Centering Prayer

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.

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.