Do NOT Quench the Spirit

Do Not Quench the Spirit

1 Thessalonians 5: 19

(from an Improbable Gift by Maren Tirabassi and Joan Jordan Grant)

I will not quench the Spirit

with fruitcake and cookies, 

mistletoe and presents,

parties and poinsettias,

firelight and pine. 

I will not quench the Spirit

with eggnog and memories,

tinsel and wrappings, 

Amahl and O. Henry,

Nutcracker and Scrooge. 

I will not quench the Spirit 

with greeting cards and wassail,

reindeer and Bing Crosby,

snowfall and sleigh rides, 

solstice and dark.

I will not quench the Spirit

even with Advent wreaths, 

manger-words, angel-song,

even with pageants and Magi-stars, 

with the running of shepherds, 

and the fearful hopes of all the years, 

even with caroling in nursing homes, 

and toys given to children who are poor, 

even with Christmas Eve midnight, 

candleshine and prayer. 

I will not quench the Spirit --

I will be still in the presence 

of birth. 

Centering Prayer and Resiliency Study

Centering Prayer and Resiliency Study

December 7 - January 16, 2012

“But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.” (Matt.6:6)

Purpose: This 6 week program will study the influence of regular daily centering prayer on self-evaluations of resiliency.

Process: Participants complete a confidential survey prior to beginning and again after 6 weeks of daily 20 minute centered prayer. A daily journal is kept with brief comments on the experience of prayer each day.

Participants agree to follow these guidelines for the centering prayer project:

1.   Practice centering prayer daily for 20 minutes at a regular time of day for 6 weeks.

2.   Journal a brief description after each prayer time. (There may be no obvious “fruits of the prayer” but jot down a few thoughts.)

3.   Fill out a survey that measures resilience before and after the 6 weeks of daily centering prayer.

4.   The centering prayer practice is simple:

a.   Choose a sacred word or two as the symbol of your invitation for God to be present to you.

b.   Sit upright comfortably in a quiet place with eyes closed. Be attentive to your breath and breathe slowly deeply.

c.   Silently begin the prayer with your sacred word. If your mind distracts, gently return to your word to focus back on prayer.

d.   Open and unclutter your mind to “rest in God.”

e.   At the end of the prayer period, remain in silence with eyes closed for a few minutes as you re-engage with your surroundings.

For more information about participating in this study, please email: calloway@pcmorristown.org or call -- 973-538-1776.