What is Centering Prayer?
As a potter centers the clay on the wheel, the aim of centering prayer is the centering of one’s soul, one’s true self—so that Christ can take shape uniquely in each believer’s life. When we live off center, our lives are literally “eccentric.” The actual practice of centering prayer usually involves inwardly whispering a short word or phrase, often in rhythm to one’s breathing. Use a word or phrase from scripture, such as “Be still,” “Trust,” “Love” (Amor or Amore), “Peace” (Shalom or Salaam), Manna (bread in the wilderness), or Maranatha (“Our Lord come”—in Aramaic, the street version of Hebrew spoken in the time of Jesus.) Sometimes the use of a word in another language helps release the mind and heart from analysis. The goal of centering prayer is to let ourselves become like Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus, or the Beloved Disciple leaning on Jesus’ breast at the Last Supper—listening to the heartbeat of Love in order to love.
