Centering prayer facts for kids

Centering prayer is a special way of praying for Christians. It helps you focus on feeling close to God. This modern way of praying was started in the 1970s by three monks: William Meninger, M. Basil Pennington, and Thomas Keating. They were from St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts. They wanted to share a Christian way of meditating, especially as other types of meditation became popular.

What's in a Name?

The name "Centering Prayer" comes from a famous monk, Thomas Merton. He described this type of prayer as being "centered entirely on the presence of God." In his book Contemplative Prayer, Merton wrote that this prayer helps you "return to the heart." It means finding your deepest self and feeling God's presence there.

How Centering Prayer Started

A monk named Thomas Merton helped Christians become interested in quiet, reflective prayer again. He learned from different meditation styles, like Zen Buddhism. He even became friends with Buddhist leaders like Thich Nhat Hanh. Merton believed that this quiet prayer helped people connect directly with God.

Another monk, Thomas Keating, was an abbot at St. Joseph's Abbey. He met many young people who were exploring Eastern meditation. He noticed that many of them didn't know about the quiet prayer traditions within Christianity. So, he wanted to make these Christian practices easier to understand. This led to the creation of Centering Prayer.

The ideas behind Centering Prayer come from old Christian traditions. These include the Desert Fathers from early Christian times and the Lectio Divina practice of Benedictine monks. It also draws from books like The Cloud of Unknowing and the writings of saints like St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross. These old teachings spoke about a deep, quiet way to pray and be with God.

How to Practice Centering Prayer

In Centering Prayer, you try to focus directly on God's presence. You let go of everyday thoughts and images. The goal is to simply "consent to God's presence and action" during your prayer time.

Fr. M. Basil Pennington shared four simple steps for Centering Prayer:

• Sit comfortably with your eyes closed. Try to relax and quiet your mind. Feel love and faith towards God.
• Choose a special, sacred word. This word should help you remember your intention to be with God.
• Let this word be gently present in your mind. It's a symbol of your desire to be open to God's action within you.
• If you notice your mind wandering (with thoughts, feelings, or images), gently return to your sacred word. It's like an anchor bringing you back.

Thomas Keating also said that you should "let go of every kind of thought during prayer." The "sacred word" can even be used with your breathing. It's not about stopping thoughts, but about being open to God's presence. Centering Prayer helps people feel more connected to God. Supporters say it doesn't replace other prayers, but helps you find a deeper silence with God.

Centering Prayer is linked to other Christian meditation forms, like praying the Rosary or Lectio Divina. Keating has encouraged both Lectio Divina and Centering Prayer.

What Research Shows

Studies have looked into Centering Prayer. Some research suggests it might help women receiving chemotherapy. It may also help people feel a closer relationship with God. Plus, it might help reduce stress.

See also

• Christian contemplation
• Hesychasm
• Hesychia