Centering Prayer

Centering or Contemplative Prayer

What is it?

Centering – to my surprise “centering” is a masonry practice in which a temporary structure upon which the materials of an arch are supported in position until the work becomes self-supporting.

The arch shaped wooden form, or centering, was used to support the stone arch as it was built towards the center and its position became increasingly horizontal.

Centering prayer – allows us to become closer to God through the support of Jesus Christ His son which keeps us bending beneath the weight of God’s glory!

Contemplative–means to consider thoroughly; think fully or deeply about…synonyms for contemplative. - 1. gaze at, behold, regard, survey. 2. study, ponder. 3. design, plan.

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The Shepherds and the Angels

 ⁸And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ^[a] the Lord. ¹²This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

 ¹³Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
 ¹⁴"Glory to God in the highest,
      and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

 ¹⁵When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

 ¹⁶So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

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Psalm 111

 ^1[a] Praise the LORD. ^[b]
       I will extol the LORD with all my heart
       in the council of the upright and in the assembly.

 ² Great are the works of the LORD;
       they are pondered by all who delight in them.

 ³ Glorious and majestic are his deeds,
       and his righteousness endures forever.

 ⁴ He has caused his wonders to be remembered;
       the LORD is gracious and compassionate.

 ⁵ He provides food for those who fear him;
       he remembers his covenant forever.

 ⁶ He has shown his people the power of his works,
       giving them the lands of other nations.

 ⁷ The works of his hands are faithful and just;
       all his precepts are trustworthy.

 ⁸ They are steadfast forever and ever,
       done in faithfulness and uprightness.

 ⁹ He provided redemption for his people;
       he ordained his covenant forever—
       holy and awesome is his name.

 ¹⁰ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
       all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
       To him belongs eternal praise.

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How do you do it?

It is suggested in the book that 20 minutes a day two times per day is a good place to start. The first session should be preferably in the morning upon arising and the second to follow some 8-10 hours later to get one through the second half of the day. It is also suggested that your eyes be closed when beginning contemplative prayer.

The first thing you need to do is find a quiet and comfortable spot to sit. Just like Goldilocks you need to a chair that is not too hard, not too soft, but just right!

1.     Quiet yourself for at least 60 seconds…deep relaxing breath…in and out…move into faith and love to God dwelling in you…CENTER ALL YOUR ATTENTION ON HIM AND LET THIS BE THE SOLE CONCERN OF YOUR MIND AND HEART!!! Ponder as Mary did after Jesus was born and the shepherds told her about the angel appearing in the field. Do you delight in the Lord, then ponder His great works…Psalm 111.

2.    REMEMBER…SURVEY

"The Wonderful Cross"
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride

See from his head, his hands, his feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown

O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live
O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
All who gather here by grace draw near and bless
Your name

Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all

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3.    Choose a one syllable vocative (noting or pertaining to a case used to indicate that a noun refers to a person or thing being addressed) word such as…

GOD

LOVE

Let the word repeat within you wholly interior without sound.

4.    When anything other than your attention being on God (distractions) and you become AWARE of it…repeat your single word over and over until the thought vanishes.

Why do we do contemplative prayer?

It is so easy for us to forget our sole purpose in being created. We were made by God for God. He created each of us unique. Because God created me different and set apart from anyone else...only I can love Him in the special way He created me and aches deeply for intimacy with me. What we don’t realize is how much God longs to hear from us and give back to him our exclusive way to love Him back. He yearns with expectant hope to hear our voice call his name and praise Him.

We ourselves as believers in Jesus Christ should desire deeply this intimacy with the Father because of His great love for us. You don’t seem to have this desire you say…then ask God to help you thirst for this alone time with him. He loves to give you the desires of your heart.

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Psalm 37:4