How to Do Centering Prayer

www.readthespirit.com/explore/2011/8/22/join-in-a-911-prayer-i-hope-for-a-world-where.html

Let the Lord lead you to new depths of prayer. Let God give you fresh insights as you pray. Know that Jesus Christ is with you, now and always.

Centering prayer is a method of prayer designed to develop contemplative prayer. Contemplation is not meant to replace other forms of prayer. However, it can bring a new perspective to the other methods of prayer. Centering prayer gives you a fresh sensitivity to God's presence everywhere, all of the time.

God - Creator, Son, and Holy Spirit - lives in the center of your being. Centering prayer allows you to experience God's presence now, to be touched by the Lord where you need it the most, and to be transformed in your inner being by the God who loves you.

The Centering Prayer process:
1. Sit quietly and relax. Enjoy your own inner silence. Be calm. The Lord lives in the midst of your silence. Listen to hear whatever God wants to share with you. Savor God's presence and open your heart, allowing yourself to be touched by God in the deepest part of your heart.

2. Respond to God's presence with an act of faith. Do not allow your thoughts or feelings to get in the way. When thoughts come into your mind, gently let go of them and focus on a single word, such as - Jesus, Lord, Love - or a phrase that is meaningful to you, such as - Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy on me; Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world. This sacred word or phrase is a symbol of your intention to allow God's presence and action within you.

3. Put your faith and love into the word or phrase. Whisper it softly. Repeat it slowly and effortlessly, letting it lead you more deeply within your being. God is in you and you are in God. Surrender to God's refreshment and re-creation.

4 Center your attention and desire on God. Leave your thoughts and feelings peacefully. Let Jesus draw you into His perfect prayer of adoration, love, and praise. Let it happen. Don't try to force it, simply go with God's leading. Whenever you become aware of any distracting thoughts or images, gently return to your word or phrase.

5. When you end this prayer time, move slowly to a silent awareness of God and then move to a conscious prayer such as The Lord's Prayer. Say it slowly. Savor the words. Listen to their meaning and make them your own.

6. Centering prayer may be used once or twice daily for 20 minutes. If you are faithful to pray, you will soon experience the fruits of the Holy Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control. You will abide in God and God in you.

Reference: Bette J. Shellhorn, Ph.D., Spiritual Director
www.prayingchurch.org/centering.html

Building Resilience - 10 Ways

Some of my parishioners have asked for the list of suggestions about developing resilience that I gave in my sermon entitled: "Risk Getting Wet" on August 7th. 
Here they are: 

Studies show that those who survive failures and stressful times often become stronger as a result. Stress and failures can actually be good for us as they humble us while teaching us lessons that we can use to be stronger in the future.

Here are 10 ways to build resilience: 

(1) Create and maintain good relationships with family members, friends and co-workers.

(2) Avoid seeing stressful events as unbearable problems.

(3) Accept circumstances that cannot be changed.

(4) Develop realistic goals and move towards them.

(5) Be a forgiving person and ask for forgiveness.

(6) After a loss - take time for self-reflection.

(7) Practice your faith and get actively involved in a supportive network.

(8) Have a long-term perspective with an attitude such as: “this too will pass."

(9) Maintain a hopeful outlook, expecting good things in the future.

(10) Take care of one's mind and body, and spirit.
All of these ways can be found in guidance from the Bible. Our scriptures link to the development of resilience. Jesus came so that we may have life and have it abundantly. The ways of Christ are ways that build resilience. 

(To hear the whole sermon - go to the audio recordings of my sermons at: www.pcmorristown.org and listen to the sermon given on 8/7/11.)