Centering Prayer

Thomas Keating

Our Ministry

The root of prayer is interior silence. We may think of prayer as thoughts or feelings expressed in words, but this is only one form. “Prayer,” according to Evagrius, “is the laying aside of thoughts.” This definition presupposes that here are thoughts. Centering Prayer is not so much the absence of thoughts as detachment from them. It is an opening of mind and heart, body and emotions – our whole being – to God, the Ultimate Mystery, beyond words, thoughts, and emotions – beyond, in other words, the psychological content of the present moment. In centering prayer, we do not deny or repress what is in our conscious. We simply accept the fact of whatever is there and go beyond it, not by effort, but by letting go of whatever is there.

PSALMS FOR PRAYING

You have allowed us to fall into the net;
You have watched us reap all that we have sown;
We went through fire and through water,
Yes, You have brought us through our pain
and into your dwelling place.


I enter your house with gifts;
I commend my soul into your keeping;
All that my lips, mouth promised when I was in trouble and pain, I offer up to You; I abandon myself into your hands. 2


CENTERING PRAYER TESTIMONIES

  • I was invited to join the Centering Prayer group after my mom passed away. My impression was that they read a few prayers together. Instead, I found out it was a time of silence to connect with God. Centering doesn't have to be done in a group; however, being together helps us make a commitment and focus on prayer. It is a journey inward.

    We read a psalm and another reading about centering prayer prior to a time of silent prayer. Our group also discusses a book related to centering. It's not always easy to quiet one's mind; so practicing centering prayer regularly is beneficial. Centering has helped improve my prayer life.
    Barb Krueger


  • I have set time apart to make Centering Prayer part of my life. Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God”. A time to be still with Him asking nothing, seeking nothing… Just to BE with HIM. The chatter of the world and busy mind “quiet” stilled. The time… Well spent. “Come and see ".
    Annette Smith


  • I have been participating in centering prayer since 2015. I cannot say enough about the peace, calmness, and closeness to God that it has provided me. It has allowed me to completely open my very being to God and allow Him to heal me both interiorly and to the outside world.
    Steve Harter


  • Life is a great mystery with many ups and downs. My Dad would always say, “do you really want to know what’s around the next corner or over the next hill?” Centering Prayer, consenting to Be with God, has gotten me around many corners and up and down many hills. In the silents, I have come to understand more about myself and God’s great love for me. I encourage you to join in Centering Prayer, opening your heart to God, the Ultimate Mystery.
    Joyce Arnold 


  • I started Centering Prayer several years ago with Oblate School of Theology. I learned to just sit with God and listen to Him. This has made my life more peaceful and filled with joy. I know I can talk to Jesus anytime and He loves me for me.
    Dorene Oesterreicher 






1 Session Three from “Compiled by Chaplain Shawn Kafader” – 2011, Friendship Village of Schaumburg, Schaumburg, IL
2 Psalms for Praying, Psalm 66 Nan C. Merrill