Centering Prayer

The practice of Centering Prayer is drawn from ancient prayer practices of the Christian contemplative heritage, notably the Fathers of the Desert, The Cloud of Unknowing, St. Theresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross. Centering Prayer leads one into a thirst for silence and solitude and is meant to enrich and compliment other forms of prayer.

For the Church’s first sixteen centuries, contemplative prayer was the goal of Christian spirituality. After the Reformation, this living tradition was virtually lost. Today the recovery of the Christian contemplative heritage has occurred.

Contemplative prayer is the opening of mind and heart — our whole being — to God who we know by faith is within us, closer than breathing, thinking, feeling, and choosing, even closer than consciousness itself. The root of all prayer is interior silence. Though we think of prayer as thoughts or feelings expressed in words, this is only one expression. Contemplative prayer is a prayer of silence, an experience of God’s presence, the Source from within whom our life emerges at every moment.

Centering Prayer is a method of prayer which prepares us to receive the gift of God’s presence. It consists of responding to the Spirit of Christ by consenting to God’s presence and action within. It emphasizes prayer as a personal relationship with God; it is also a discipline to foster and serve this relationship by a regular, daily practice of prayer.

Centering Prayer Support Group

The Centering Prayer Support Group meets Thursday evenings from 7-8:15 p.m. in cl. 3.

Contact Person

For more information, call Bob Gullo at 703-590-3334.