Centering Prayer is a method designed to facilitate the development of contemplative prayer (the opening of mind and heart to God, as ultimate Mystery, who is beyond thoughts, words or emotions). The method is not meant to supplant other types of prayer, but to augment them. During the prayer time, you consent to God's presence and action within.

Guidelines

1. Choose a sacred word as the symbol of your intention to consent to God's presence and action within. Your word can be chosen in prayer, and might be such words as calm, faith, trust, shalom, amen, Jesus, kyrie, Jeshua, Abba, Mater, Maria, and so on.

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 you become aware of thoughts, return ever-so-gently to the sacred word.

4. At the end of the prayer period (twenty minutes is standard), remain in silence with eyes closed for a couple of minutes. Perhaps you might conclude with the Lord's Prayer or a psalm.

A simple inward gaze upon God may be more suitable for some persons than a sacred word.