One of the practices my books Created For So Much More and A Guided Journal to Soaring With God invite you to explore is taking the time to pause, ponder, and listen to what Holy Spirit says. The notion of centering prayer takes that practice to a deeper level.
John 15:4 says
“Abide in Me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unluess you abide in Me.”
Centering prayer is taking the time to abide with the Lord in a way that causes you to focus, meet, and unite with the Lord. You could say that “regular” prayer focuses outward, but centering prayer focuses inward. Regular prayer uses words, centering prayer does not.
This process has you “center” or focus on a word or an object. For instance, I might sit with the Lord and ask Him to bring me a greater revelation of the word and idea of abiding. As I ponder the notion of God abiding in me, or me abiding in Him, He may bring more depth and understanding of the concept, word, and practice.
One of my favorite things to focus or center on in this kind of meditative prayer is one of my abstract paintings. I have gained great insight and revelation as I simply sat, slowed my breathing, and focused on the painting I share here called “Pilgrammage.”
Centering prayer is another tool to add to your prayer tool belt.
Join me on Wednesday morning, 10-11:30 Central Time, June 23 or Thursday evening (60-7:30 Central Time July 1 to learn more about and try this ancient practice of meeting with the Lord.