Prayer familiarizes us with God's first language ~ SILENCE ~ and is an ancient method of silent prayer, made new.
Centering Prayer is known as PRAYER OF THE HEART, PRAYER OF SIMPLICITY or PRAYER OF QUIET that is a receptive, deep method of silent prayer that prepares us to open our hearts so that we may respond to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit. It is a prayer method that reduces the obstacles to the gift of Contemplative Prayer. Centering Prayer prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, in which we experience God's presence in the inner room of our souls, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. This method of prayer is both a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship.
Centering Prayer emphasizes prayer as a personal, intimate relationship with God (heart to heart) as movement beyond words with Christ to communion with Him.
Centering Prayer is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer. Rather, it adds depth of meaning to all prayer and facilitates the movement from more active modes of prayer — verbal, mental or affective prayer — into a receptive prayer of resting in God. Centering Prayer emphasizes prayer as a personal relationship with God and as a movement beyond conversation with Christ to communion with Him.
Centering Prayer is rooted in the word of God, both in Scripture and in the person of Jesus Christ. It is an effort to renew the Christian contemplative tradition handed down to us in an uninterrupted manner from St. Paul, who writes of the intimate knowledge of Christ that comes through love.
For more information about Centering Prayer Introductory Workshops or Retreats or to learn about the contemplative life and Centering Prayer as a discipline of prayer, please contact Rev. Jacqueline Slaughter at theladyvicar@gmail.com or 850.292.7947