Centering Prayer (Christian Meditation) 

Sunday Mornings 9:00am - 9:20am

Every Sunday Centering Prayer is offered in our Oratory (Prayer Room) upstairs.  Beginning at 9:00am with bowl bells rung, it offers silence, suggestions, and mostly time, space, and support for continuing this spiritual practice.  It concludes after a closing blessing with the bowl bells once again by about 9:20am, allowing those who wish to go to corporate worship the opportunity to do so. 

This ministry is based upon Jesus Wisdom teaching:

“...But when you pray,

go to your inner room,

close the door

and pray to your Father in secret.

And your Father,

who sees in secret,

will reward you”

Meditation suggestions are available in the Oratory.  Each "sit" will include the following order:

• Gathering  (in Silence)
• Bells Rung
• Silence
• Brief Prayer
• Deep Silence  (12-15 minutes)
• Short Blessing
• Bells Run
• Departure  (in Silence

Everyone welcome.  No previous experience with meditation is required.  Come and find a place slow and quiet enough for God to catch up with you.

Contemplation Suggestions for Silence

 ~Sit comfortably with your eyes closed, relax, and quiet yourself.  Be in love and faith to God.

 ~Choose a sacred word that best supports your sincere intention to be in the Lord's presence and open to divine action within you.  Possibilities:   Jesus, Lord, God, Savior, Abba, Divine, Shalom, Spirit,  or Love.

You can also offer a phrase silently in rhythm with your breathing (regular print on inhaling, italic on exhalation).  Possibilities:

“Be still… and know that I am God”

“Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.”

“Bind my head and my heart in you, holy One.” 

“God is present, by love alone.”

“Be silent, let God Speak”

“Surrender to God, every moment.”

 “Desire and love, draw me to you.”

“Lord, it is you, who penetrates my heart.”

“Fill my heart, with love.”

“I am Your temple, my heart your shrine.”

 ~Let that word or phrase be gently present as your symbol of your sincere intention to be in God's presence and open to the divine action within you.

 ~Whenever you become aware of anything (thoughts, feelings, perceptions, images, associations, distractions, etc.), simply return to your sacred word with gentleness. 

 ~Meditation is not about accomplishing anything.  Simply rest in the present moment, where nothing is needed and “all is well.”  It is not about doing… but rather about being.

“Is there anything that I can do to make myself enlightened?” 

“As little as you can do to make the sun rise in the morning.”

“Then of what use are the spiritual exercises you prescribe?”

“To make sure you are not asleep when the sun begins to rise.”

 —A Master to his disciple.