Centering Prayer
Centering Prayer is a receptive method of meditation/ prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience the Presence of the God of our understanding within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself.
This method of prayer is both a relationship with God and a discipline to deepen that relationship.
The Guidelines
1-
Choose a sacred word as the symbol
of your intention to consent to God’s
presence and action within.
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 engaged with your thoughts,
return ever-so-gently to the sacred
word.
*thoughts include body sensations,
feelings, images, and reflections
4-
At the end of the prayer period,
remain in silence with eyes closed
for a couple of minutes.
Practice Centering Prayer for a minimum of 20 minutes, twice each day, with the intention of deepening your relationship with God.
The Method of Centering Prayer
The 11th Step pamphlet was put together to help those searching for emotional and spiritual sobriety. Centering Prayer is a method for doing the 11th Step to improve our conscious contact with our Higher Power.
This is a helpful overview of the prayer, including the four guidelines and tips for practicing.
Open Mind, Open Heart
Buy the Book
Open Mind, Open Heart is the primer
on Centering Prayer written by Thomas Keating
and provides step-by-step guidance
in the method of centering prayer.
Community Support
Find a 12 Step CP Group or 11th Step Meditation Meeting
Find support for Centering Prayer as an 11th Step
practice by joining an online 12 Step Centering
Prayer Group or 11th Step Meditation Meeting.
Connect on Mobile Apps
Use the free Centering Prayer mobile app timer to support your daily prayer practice. The app is available for iOS and Android mobile devices and is also available in Spanish-language versions.
The Insight Timer is also available for iOS and Android mobile devices. You can join Friends of Bill W., Centering Prayer - 12 Step Groups on Insight Timer or just find your friends on app.
